
Class 
Book _ J 



Us. 






HISTORICAL 



ANNALS OF DEDHAM, 



FROM ITS SETTLEMENT IN 1635, 



TO 1847. 



BY HERMAN 'mANN. 



DEDHAM, MASS. 

PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY HERMAN MANN. 

1847. 



'i^'i^ 



-^' o . r[ 



INTRODUCTION 



Dedham is one of the oldest towns in New Eng- 
land. The Indians of this neighborhood had been 
nearly all carried off by the small pox in 1633. A 
portion of the lands comprised within the original 
limits of the town was purchased of the Indians for 
a fair consideration, and deeded to the Colony by 
Chikataubot, their Chief, about the year 1630. The 
original deed being lost it was renewed in 1685, by 
Josias Wampatuk, grandson of Chikataubot, which 
latter deed is still in existence. The more southerly 
portions were purchased of the celebrated King 
Philip, chief of the Wampanoags, and due payment 
made. The town derived its name from Dedham in 
England, from which place some of its first settlers 
emiiirated in 1629. 

In collecting materials for the Chronological de- 
partment of this work, the compiler has availed him- 
self of the facilities afforded by the Town Records, 
which include also the records of the original Propri- 
etors, commencing with the first settlement and con- 
tinued ill an unbroken series to the present day ; 



IV INTRODUCTION. 



Worthington's history, published in 1827; S. F. Ha- 
ven's address, delivered at the second centennial an- 
niversary in 1836, which gives a general view of the 
political and social character of the inhabitants from 
the earliest times ; and to Rev. Dr. Lamson's centen- 
nial discourses in 1838, which latter details more par- 
ticularly the occurrences connected with its ecclesias- 
tical history. These are works of great ability, and 
evince much labor and patient research in the authors. 
Other historical addresses delivered before the citi- 
zens and published from time to time, have essential- 
ly aided in elucidating the early history of the town, 
and rendered a more detailed account of less impor- 
tance at this time, as it would be but a repetition of 
what has already been given to the public. Numer- 
ous other authentic documents have been consulted, 
and with the above named are the principal sources 
from which is derived the matter contained in these 
pages. 

In a portion of the original town records the dates 
are entered according to the ancient mode of reckon- 
ing time, when March was accounted the first month 
in the year. For the sake of uniformity in these pa- 
ges, all dates are made to correspond with the present 
method. 

Should some of the events here recorded appear as 
trivial at the present day, it must be remembered that 
they are only comparatively so, and were considered 
of some consequence at the time they occurred. 
They serve as connecting links in the continuous 
chain which unites one period of time with another, 
and could not well be omitted here without weaken- 



INTRODUCTION. V 

ing that chain. A penetrating mind will readily dis- 
cover their use and accord to them their due influ- 
ence. Other occurrences that may be considered of 
more consequence are necessarily but briefly alluded 
to, as a more extended notice would be utterly incon- 
sistent in a work of this kind. 

Ample materials are at hand to furnish an interest- 
ing volume of any desirable extent, in the records of 
the first settlers of Dedham and their successors, and 
also for tracing events which mark the different epochs 
of time, and delineating the combined and individual 
character of the actors. The hope is confidently 
cherished that a work will yet be presented to the 
public, by some one possessing the requisite talent 
and sufficient leisure for the task, that will combine a 
more complete history with a genealogical account of ' 
the first settlers, and portray with deserved eulogy 
the energy and virtues so conspicuously displayed by 
many of the founders and natives of the town, and 
others who have come among us and become its ben- 
efactors. 

It may perhaps be thought by some that another 
work in addition to those before enumerated, treating 
of the same subject, and starting like our ow^n from 
the same point with them, ending also in a similar 
manner, must needs be superfluous. But we opine 
that it will be found something like a railroad, which, 
although sometimes moving along side by side with 
the old beaten track, sometimes crossing it, yet like 
the railroad too it in the main traverses different fields, 
opening new prospects to the view, and by pursuing 
a straight forward course reaches its destination by a 



INTRODUCTION. 



way peculiarly its own, possessing the charm of nov- 
ty at least to recommend it. 

The leading object of the compiler has been to pre- 
sent to his fellow townsmen, and others who may 
feel interested in the prosperity of Dedham, a work 
which might serve to some extent as an index to the 
history of the town, and supply a vacuum which ap- 
peared to exist, as well as to facilitate the labors pf 
some future historian. The locality of numerous pla- 
ces alluded to in the early records, before the con- 
struction of roads to any great extent in the town, 
have in many instances become lost^ to the present 
generation. These have been sought out and briefly 
stated ; by which it will appear that although it looks 
formidable on paper, the journey is but short from 
" Wigwam pond," along the " Ridge hill," through 
" Wigwam swamp," across the " country road" near 
the "wolf pit," thence over "Ragged plain" to "Green 
Lodge" or "Purgatory," and has often been travelled 
and may be again with perfect safety. 

In the following annals but little scope has been 
given to fancy, or regard paid to traditionary legends, 
unless accompanied by corroborating circumstances 
which leave no doubt of their correctness. The de- 
sign being confined principally to the relation of facts, 
in as concise a manner as appeared consistent with a 
full understanding of the subject, and to give the date 
of their occurrence with as much minuteness as their 
importance demanded. 

In the multiplicity of papers among which informa- 
tion has been sought, some of them being much mu- 
tildtud or defaced by age and difficult to decypher, 



INTRODUCTION. Vll 



it is yery possible that some errors may have crept 
in. But the reader may be assured that every pre- 
caution has been taken to guard against them. — 
Where there has been any doubt of the facts intend- 
ed to be recorded, they have been either satisfactorily 
ascertained or entirely omitted. These pages have 
been extended to a number considerably beyond what 
was at first intended, and it has been found more dif- 
ficult to comprise the subject matter within a limited 
compass than it would have been to spread it over a 
much larger volume. 

The Statistical tables have been compiled with the 
greatest care, from correct sources of information, 
and particular attention has been paid in the arrange- 
ment of the whole, with a view of rendering the work 
more useful to the public as a book for reference. 

The list of natives of Dedham who have graduated 
at colleges was furnished by Dr. D. P. Wight, one of 
their number, who has spared no pains to have it cor- 
rect ; also, the complete lists of town clerks and se- 
lectmen since the incorporation of the town. Other 
gentlemen have kindly assisted in facilitating this 
work; particularly is the writer indebted to Rev. Dr. 
Lamson for his valuable assistance in examining: and 
correcting a portion of the proof sheets before publi- 
cation ; to all of whom the compiler would respectful- 
ly tender his grateful acknowledgments. 

Having now placed ourselves in the precise posi- 
tion in which the good man of Uz wished his adver- 
sary had placed himself, as we read in the oldest rec- 
ord extant, (see Job xxxi. 35,) we must trust the 
magnanimity of critics to treat our humble production 



Viii INTRODUCTION. 

with such leniency as the pubUc good will justify them 
in doing. The information here presented being lo- 
cal in its nature and confined to a limited territory, 
is not calculated to interest a widely spread popula- 
tion, or be extensively circulated. Should it chance 
ta meet the approbation of those who are more im- 
mediately interested in its contents, it will fulfil our 
highest expectations, and to them it is respectfully 
offered. 

Dedham, May 20, 1847. 



PART I. 



CHRONOLOGICAL HISTORY 



1635. The original founders of Dedham came here from 
Watertown and Roxbury, and commenced the settlement this 
year. A Covenant was entered into for the government of them- 
selves, and all those who were afterwards admitted into the set- 
tlement were- required to subscribe thereto. The first recorded 
birth is on the 21st of June this year, precisely six years and 
four days from the morning when Winthrop and his associates 
entered Boston harbor, " to find a place for sitting down." A 
free grant for a plantation was allowed to the company of settlers 
on the 2d of the 7th month, (September 12) by the general court, 
then holding a session at Newtowne. 

1636. In rebinding the town records in 1839, some of the 
leaves in the first volume appear out of place. The first and 
sixth leaves do not belong there. The second leaf contains the 
petition for incorporation and the order of court thereon. The 
third leaf has no date and it is not certain that it belongs there. 
The two next leaves contain the Covenant, with one hundred and 
twenty-four names attached. The Town Records commence on 
the seventh leaf, as follows : " The 15th August, being the 6ih 
month, 1636, Assembled whose names are underwritten." This 
assemblage consisted of eighteen persons, and is the first recorded 
meeting of the inhabitants in this town. Preliminary meetings 
of the settlers were probably holden in the towns from which 
ihey came, where the requisite arrangements for the settlement 

2 



10 CIinONOLOGlCAL iriSTORV, 

were agreed upon. Another meeting was held on the 29ih of 
August, when the same number of persons were again assembled, 
but not all of them the same individuals as before. The next 
recorded meeting was held on the 6th of September following, 
when nineteen persons assembled, all of whom signed the petition 
to the general court, as did also three others after the meeting 
was dissolved, being all who had at that time subscribed to the 
Covenant. The second grant of lands by the general court, rati- 
fying the previous grant and extending its limits conformably to 
the petition, bears date September 10, old style. The place had 
heretofore been called " Contentment," but by this act of the gen- 
eral court the name was changed to " Dedham," and the compa- 
ny of settlers first legally organized. The original limits com- 
prised the present towns of Dedham, Medfield, Walpole, Wrent- 
ham, Franklin, Bellingham, Needham, Dover, Natick, and a part 
of Sherburne. All settlers, if married man, are allowed a home 
lot of twelve acres each ; unmarried men; eight acres. All the 
waters in town are declared free to all the inhabitants for fishing. 

1637. The inhabitants consisted of about thirty faniilie.s. 
Measures are taken for laying out and establishing highways. 
In all divisions or grants of land, a reservation is carefully made 
that the town shall have a right to lay out a way through any 
man's lot, whenever the public good may require it ; full compen- 
sation for lands so taken to be made by a grant of some other 
land in lieu thereof. All highways laid out are " to be well 
marked and dooled, and the bounds severally recorded." Ab- 
sence from town meeting punished by fine, one shilling for the 
first half hour, and two shillings and six pence for the whole 
meeting. The roll of townsmen to be called " half an hour after 
the time of meeting is come." A foot bridge is built across 
Charles river, at a place called the Key, near Bullard's landing 
place. 

163S. April, the present burial place in the first parish was 
taken from the south end of the house lots of Nicholas Phillips 
and Joseph Kingsbury, in exchange for other lands, and set apart 
" for the use of a public burial place for the town forever." The 
first church was gathered November S, (corresponding to the 



CHRONOLOGICAL HISTOUY. 11 

ISih November, present style,) and Mr. John Allin appoinicd 
Teacher; on the 24lh April following, he was ordained as Pastor. 
Mr. Allin was born in England in 1596, he died August 26, 1671. 
The first meeting-house is erected this year; it was built upon 
the site now occupied by Rev. Dr. Lamson's church. Another 
location near this spot was originally intended for this house; 
but, as the record expresses it, " it is condescended for loving 
satisfaction to some neighbors on the East side of the little River 
that the meeting-house shall stand upon the end of Joseph Kings- 
bury's lot, notwithstanding the order made the last meeting." 
It was determined that the size of the house should be '* in length 
thirty-six- feet, and twenty in width, and between the top of the 
sill and the eaves 12 feet, the uame to be girded," and covered 
with thatch. The worshippers were for several years called to- 
gether on the sabbath by beat of drum, for performing which ser- 
vice Ralph Day was, in 1646, allowed twenty shillings, to be 
paid in cedar boards. The second meeting house was built in 
1673, and furnished with a bell. The present meeting-house was 
erected on the same spot in 1763. The Bible now used in the 
pulpit, was presented to the parish in 17S5, by Mrs. Catharine 
Barnard, on condition that the reading of a portion of it should 
forever hereafter, be made a part of the religious exercises of the 
day, which had not hitherto been the custom. 

1639. It is ordered, that every householder shall provide a 
ladder for his house, under a penalty of five shillings. A Canal, 
about three fourths of a mile in length, was made this year for 
conducting a portion of the water from Charles river to the source 
of East Brook, which empties into Neponset river, by which 
means a supply was obtained for several valuable mill sites. 
Abraham Shaw having made some preparations for erecting a 
corn mill in the town, leave is given him so to do, and eighty 
acres of land are granted to him and his associates for that pur- 
pose, provided the same be a water mill. Other facilities are of- 
fered for forwarding the work. A reservation is made in the 
grant, that in case said Shaw should sell or otherwise alienate 
this property, the town shall have the first refusal of it, '' at such 
a price as another man would really give for any such aliena- 



12 CHKONOLOGICAL HISTORY, 

tion." N<ilhai)iel Whiting and Ezra Morse soon after this time 
became possessed of the principal mill seats in the town, and 
they have been held by their descendants to the present day. 

1641. The number of persons taxed is forty-two. In July, a 
leading way to the water mill is laid out. 

1643. Two hundrpd acres of land south of High-street were 
made a common tillage field ; each proprietor's share was mark- 
ed out and set off to him by a committee chosen for that purpose. 
Number of persons ta.xed is sixty-one. 

1644. A Free School is established by the unanimous con- 
currence of the inhabitants, and 201. per annum and certain lands 
appropriated until 1650, for its support. May 27, two acres of 
land on the westerly end of the training ground is granted to the 
military company and their successors forever ; the land to be 
laid out by said company. November 8, a road from the training 
ground to Cart bridge just built across Charles river is established, 
" three rods broad." 

1645. Three hundred and seventy-five acres of wood land are 
set off and apportioned among the proprietors. 

1647. May 27, a parcel of land is given by Daniel Fisher for 
a town Pound, he reserving to himself and heirs the right to cut 
the trees growing thereon. The number of freemen admitted in- 
to Dedham up to this time is fifty ; the number of non-freemen 
who have become inhabitants is nearly the same. The freemen 
only are permitted to take part in town affairs. 

1648. The first school house erected near the meeting-house, 
with a tower on the top to serve for a watch house. The school 
master's salary until 1695 was 20Z. per annum, it was then 
raised to 251. September 20, the land previously granted to the 
military company is confirmed to them, to be improved as a train- 
ing ground, and for no other purpose, without the consent of the 
selectmen. To make any other disposition of the land requires 
the joint consent of the military company and the officers thereof, 
and the selectmen. 



CHRONOLOGICAL HISTORy- 13 

1649. Eleazer Lusher is deputed by the town to assist in lay- 
ing out the farm granted to Edward Alleyn, at a place near Bo- 
gastow, now the town of Medfield. A grant for an additional 
tract of land at that place for the purpose of forming a settlement 
there having been made by the general court, active measures 
are adopted for that object and the settlement is commenced. 
This grant of the general court bears date " the 22d of the 8th 
month," corresponding to the first day of November, new style. 

1650. Henry Chickering and Nathan Aldis were chosen the 
first deacons in this town. The Dedham church was the four- 
teenth organized in the Massachusetts colony. The deeds and 
records relating to Medfield are transferred to the authorities of 
that town. Three acres of land are granted to Thomas Ban- 
croft, to be laid out near the place called the Old Mill. 

1652. Some preparations are made for building a second 
bridge across Charles river, but the design is abandoned for the 
present. 

1653. A ditch or creek is dug from river to river, through 
the Broad meadows, on the northwesterly side of Dedham Island. 

1656. A general division of the common lands, including all 
woods and waste lands, was made by the town among the propri- 
etors. This act is rendered necessary in order to ascertain what 
proportion each proprietor shall be assessed, towards defraying 
the town expenses. In this division a lot was expressly reserved 
for the use of the church. 

1657. The town having declared " that the meeting-house 
should be lathed upon the inside, and so daubed, and whited over 
workmanlike," the inhabitants turned out in a body, and the thing 
was done at once. The number of families in town is one 
hundred and sixty-six. 

1658. It is ordered, that the two thousand acres granted to 
the Indians at Natick, shall be laid out at the westerly bounds of 
the town, on the north side of Charles river. 

1659. Eight shares out of the five hundred and twenty-two 
into which the Dedham common lands were divided in 1656, 



14 CHRONOLOGICAL HISTORY. 

were awarded to the church, for the support of a "teaching church 
officer in the town." The remaining five hundred and fourteen 
shares were apportioned among the proprietors, by the arbitrators 
mutually chosen for that purpose by the town on the one part, 
and ensign Henry Phillips on the other part, the latter having 
with a few others complained of some infringement of their rights 
in the general division of the common lands. This award of the 
arbitrators settled existing difficulties, and was acquiesced in by 
all the parties. Nine persons were appointed to define the limits 
of the Indian town at Natick. These Indians we're at this time 
under the instruction of reverend John Eliot. It appearing to 
the town that the 2000 acres granted to the Indians at that place 
did not take in the saw mill already begun by them, a further 
extension was made so as to include said mill and adjacent lands. 
October 6, the inhabitants " being generally assembled after 
training," to discuss the question of the lands about Natick exclu- 
sive of the grant to the Indians, it is decided that they shall be 
searched out and viewed, and what lands may be found fit to be 
divided shall be laid out to the inhabitants of the town, according 
to the rules of proportion formerly agreed upon. A saw mill is 
erected in the southern part of the present town. A highway 
from the town to the Cedar swamp, near the saw mill, is laid 
out. Robert Onion is allowed to have his highway work set off 
from year to year, for his services in ringing the bell forenoons 
and afternoons on the days appointed for working on the high- 
ways. 

1660. A committee was deputed to treat with the natives that 
claim right at Wolomonopog, (now the town of Wrentham,) and 
clear that place from Indian title. 

1661. A vote was passed, that sergeant Ellis and those who 
are engaged in killing wolves shall be paid for their time while 
so engaged, at the same rate as others are paid while employed 
in town work. 

1662. The Indian title to Wolomonopog was purchased of 
king Philip, for the sum of 24Z. lOi-. The tract purchased was 
six miles square, or a quantity of land equal. to it. 



CHRONOLOGICAL HISTORV. 15 

1663. The town is presented for want of a school. 

1664. A new corn mill is built this year by Ezra Morse 
and Daniel Pond, a short distance above the one previously erect- 
ed on Mother Brook,. Eight thousand acres of land at Deer- 
field, (called Pocumpiuck in the records,) is selected by the agents 
of Dedham for a settlement, by permission of the general court, 
in lieu of the two thousand acres granted to the Natick Indians. 
The number of houses in Dedham at this lime is ninety-five, all 
small, situated near each other, in the vicinity of the spot now 
occupied by the court house ; the greater part of them east from 
that place and near Dwighl's bridge. A row of houses stood on 
the north side of High-street, as that road was then called which 
leads from the bridge over the Little river weslwardly by the 
court house. The greater number of these houses were worth 
from three to four pounds each ; four only were valued at twenty 
pounds. To the compactness of their situation and the vigilant 
watchfulness of the inhabitants against surprise, may doubtless 
be ascribed their escape from the attacks of the Indians, who soon 
after this period laid waste so many of the more defenceless vil- 
lages of New England. 

1665. January 12, a way from the meeting-house to the Burial 
place, one rod broad, is laid out on the west side of the church 
lot, " for the use of a Bear way." The selectmen are required to 
" take care that the burial place may be sufficiently cleared from 
grass and well fenced in, and the aforesaid way also be cleared 
from grass, and all be done at the public charge." The persons 
chosen this year as fence viewers, are instructed to see that the 
order of the town requiring a ladder to be placed against each 
dwelling house, is duly complied with. 

1666. The number of legal voters in the town is eighty-three. 

1667. Sheep were first introduced into the town. 

1668. Regulations were adopted respecting the water flowing 
through the Mill creek. 

1669. August 3, there being a great scarcity of grass this 
year, whereby the procuring of hay for wintering cattle is like to 



16 OHRONOLOGICAl, HISTORY. 

become difficult from the usual sources, measures are adopted by 
the town to get a supply from the meadow lands not yet appro- 
priated at Wolomonopog and beyond, within the bounds of the 
town. A letter is received from sagamore Philip of Mount Hope, 
tendering sale of his rights in the lands in the town which lay 
beyond Wolomonopog, and desiring 51. in advance on that ac- 
count, which is paid him accordingly. September 29, an assess- 
ment of 35. Ad. is made upon the proprietors of every "cow com- 
mon," for the payment to Capt. Pynchon of 96Z. 10s. for the 
purchase of the Indian rights at Pocumptuck. November 15, the 
town ordered seventeen pounds eight shillings to be assessed on 
the common lands to complete the payment for lands purchased 
of king Philip. A contract is made with Mr. Samuel Mann, to 
keep the school one year for 201. to be paid in corn at the current 
price. A foot way is laid out from near the bridge over Little 
river to the new corn mill on Mother Brook. 

1670. January 11, Nathaniel Colburn represents to the town 
that " a great part of the Mill creek being digged within his 
land," for the purpose of supplying the corn mills with water, he 
is entitled to remuneration in some other land, which is granted 
to him. An " artist" is employed to lay out the lots at Pocump- 
tuck among the proprietors. A committee is also empowered 
to assist the artist in laying out the lots, and to " order the situa- 
tion of the town for the most convenience, as in their discretion 
shall appear best ;" care being taken to lay out highways to the 
best advantage, and to select a suitable place for " the meeting- 
house and church officers lot or lots." Not more than twenty cow 
common rights are to be located together in one place. The In- 
dian church at Natick has two teachers and about fifty members. 

1671. Apprehensions being entertained of trouble with the 
Indians, it is ordered, that " the great gun now in town with the 
carriage thereunto belonging, be set in repair fit for service." A 
tomb, with a suitable inscription, and a " monument of stone and 
lime mortar, and to be covered with timber," is ordered by the 
town to be erected over the grave of the reverend John Aliin, 
their pastor, lately deceased. 



CHRONOLO(,1CAI, tllSTORV. 17 

1672. The old meeting-house is taken down for the purpose 
of erecting- a new one on its site. The new iiouse is furnished 
with a bell. One Balch received ten shillings for one year's ser- 
vice in beating the drum on the sabbath to collect the congrega- 
tion. Every man who hitched his horse to the meeting-house 
ladder, forfeited sixpence to Robert Onion. A leading way is 
laid out from East-street to Nathaniel Whiting's mill. 

1673. Wrentham. (including the present town of Franklin,) 
is set off and incorporated as a town. In September, the se- 
lectmen of Dedham received orders from the general court to 
put the town in a posture for war. Upon this, the soldiers 
were frequently trained, a barrel of gunpowder and other ammu- 
nition procured, the people built a garrison, and set a watch. 
The fear excited by the Indians was very great, and many fled 
to Boston. 

1674. Thomas Clap gives a bond to the town, pledging his 
saw mill and all his rights and privileges therein, that Henry 
Earle and Elizabeth Leonard, two visiters residing with his fam- 
ily, or either of them, shall not be " any trouble or damage to 
the town." The sum of eight shillings is allowed to Nathaniel 
Heaton, for keeping the dogs out of the meeting house and shut- 
ting the door. 

1675. Commenced the bloody Indian war known as Kinp- 
Philip's war. The first actual outrage is related to have been 
committed in Dedham. A man was found in the woods, shot 
through the body, and the murder traced directly to king Philip. 
The first company engaged in the war, mustering twenty-one 
men, was raised here early in the year and placed under the com- 
mand of captain Prentice. 

1676. On the 25th July, Pumham, sachem of Shaomet, (now 
Warwick, R. I.) who had joined king Philip, and next to him 
was the most dreaded of the Indian warriors, having souo-ht ref- 
uge in Dedham woods, was attacked and slain and many of his 
band made prisoners by a party of Dedham and Medfield people, 
assisted by a few friendly Indians. The following notice of the 
capture and death of this celebrated warrior is found in S. G. 

3 



IS CHRONOLOGICAI, HISTORY. 

Drake's Book of the Indians : " 'He was one of the stoutest and 
most valient sachems that belonged to the INarragansetts ; whose 
courage and strength was so great that, after he had been mortally 
wounded in the fight, so as himself could not stand, yet catching 
hold of an Englishman that by accident came near him, he had 
done him mischief, if he had not been presently rescued by one of 
his fellows.' Pumham, with a few followers, had for some time 
secreted themselves in Dedham woods, where they were fallen 
upon by the English under captain Hunting, who killed fifteen 
and took thirty-five without resistance. They found here con- 
siderable plunder ; ' besides kettles there was about half a bushel 
of wampumpeag, [Indian money] which the enemy lost, and 
twelve pounds of powder, which the captives say they had re- 
ceived from Albany but two days before.' " The death of king 
Philip on the 12th August following, and the capture of Anna- 
won the last of his chiefs eighteen days after, terminated this 
destructive war. Dedham furnished thirty-five men against the 
Indians this year. The number of persons taxed in the town is 
ninety-five, — all from England with one exception, an Irish- 
man. 

1677. In November, a great black boar, eight feet in length, 
came into the town, and was shot at thirteen times before he 
could be killed. Almost the whole town was mustered before he 
could be mastered. One acre of the training ground is granted 
to Amos Fisher and his heirs forever, " according to a vote of 
the trained company." Liberty was also granted this year to 
Mr. Samuel Mann to improve one acre and an half of the east 
end of the training ground, provided the trained company concur 
therein. Sam. and Ben. Mills having taken two young Indians 
to reside in their families, are required by the selectmen to give 
bonds in the penal sum of 80^. to secure the. town from damage 
by so doing ; they are also fined 55. each for neglecting the order 
of the town and entertaining these papooses without liberty. The 
fines are satisfied to the town by a wolf, killed by Ben. Mills. 

1678. Complaints being made that many persons in the town, 
" in time of publique worship on the sabbath dayes, and other 
limes, do not attend in the scats in the meeting house where the 



CHRONOLOGICAL HISTORY. 19 

comity chosen by the Towne have ordered them, but intrude into 
seals appoynted to other persons, thereby causing disorder, to 
the grife and offence of many and ill example to others" — the se- 
lectmen order that all such disorderly persons be duly notified of 
the complaints against them, and required to attend the worship 
of God in the seats assigned them by the committee, under a pen- 
alty of five shillings for each neglect, one third to the informer, 
the other two thirds to the use of the town. The number of per- 
sons assessed this year to pay the ministers salary is one hundred 
and six. 

1650, Dr. William Avery made a donation to the town of 
60Z. for the support of a Latin school. The Indian titles to the 
lands in Natick, Needham, and Dedham Island, are extinguished 
by the town paying to William Nehoiden, the sachem making a 
claim, ten pounds in money, forty shillings in Indian corn, and 
forty acres of land at the upper falls on Charles river, for a tract 
of land seven miles long, from east to west, and five miles wide, 
on the north side of Charles river ; and to Magus, another sa- 
chem, the sum of eight pounds, for his lands about Magus hill. 
A new bridge is built over Charles river, at a place called the 
Canoes, on the direct rout from the town to the great plain. Ez- 
ra Morse receives the bounty of 10s. each for five wolves killed ; 
many wolves are destroyed this year by different persons. 

1651. Information being given to the selectmen, that John 
Litllefield " being at his own hand runs up and down from place 
to place, misspending his time, and by that means may not only 
bring ruin to himself, but also charge and damage may come to 
the town," he is sent for, and ordered to dwell with Thomas Al- 
dridge, until he can be provided with a master who will learn 
him a trade. 

1682. A vote was passed that no one of the inhabitants should 
remove to a greater distance than two miles from the meeting 
house, without special license. Ordered, " that all deeds of lands 
to our town, from Indians or others, and also all arbitrations and 
awards between our town and other towns, and between our town 
and particular persons, shall be called in and delivered to the se- 
lectmen, that they may be either transcribed into the Book of 



20 CIIKONOLOGICAL llISTORV. 

Records, or otherwise preserved, that they may be known to af- 
ter generations." In pursuance of this order, several documents 
were brought in to the selectmen, and by them delivered to deacon 
John Aldis, to be by him kept safely in a box. Among these 
papers were seven deeds from Indians, four of which were con- 
cerning lands at Pocumptuck, one from king Philip, also a re- 
ceipt from him, one deed from Nehoiden, and one from Magus. 
It being proposed to the Proprietors, whether they will choose a 
committee to manage their Proprietary, they decline so to do, but 
declare their willingness to leave it in the hands of the selectmen 
until they shall take further order thereon. The selectmen being 
informed that several Indians were residing in the town, the 
coHL^table is directed to warn them to remove themselves to Punk- 
apoag, Natick. or Womosset, according to law. 

1683. Leave is granted to Nathaniel Whiting and James 
Draper to erect a fulling mill below the corn mills on the stream 
called Mother Brook, and facilities are allowed them by the town 
for that object. 

1684. January 30, " this day after lecture it was put to vote 
of the freemen and inhabitants whether they did desire the Gov- 
ernor and Company would defend their Charter and privileges so 
far as they can ;" it passed unanimously in the affirmative. " It 
being put to them if they were willing we should make a full 
submission and entire resignation to his Majesty's pleasure as in 
his declaration is intimated, it was by all voted in the negative." 

1685. The Indian title to the lands in Medfield, and all lands 
west of Neponset river claimed by the Neponset tribe, originally 
purchased of Chikataubut their chief, was confirmed to the set- 
tlers by Josias Wampatuk his grandson, for the consideration of 
four pounds ten shillings. In August, began a vacancy in the 
ministry and continued until November, 1693, during which time 
the town was in a " low and divided state." The town voted to 
raise the causevvay at the Little river to such a height that 
carts may pass ordinarily without difficulty, notwithstanding the 
water, and to do it on account of highway work. 

1686. The number of persons taxed in the town is one hun- 
dred and twenty-four. 



CHRONOLOGICAL HISTORY- 21 

16S7. In February, ihe inhabitants being assembled in town 
meeting, voted generally, that " if any appear to purchase the 
Training Ground, and will give betwixt 30 and 40 pounds in 
money, or not much less," it might be sold, " if the trayned com- 
pany, the military officers, and the selectmen approve thereof." 

1690. The Landing place in Dorchester, owned by the town 
of Dedham, is ordered to be sold, to raise five pounds to pay Na- 
thaniel Richards ; it being due to him for money advanced to 
pay Josias the Indian for a release of his claim to certain lands 
within the bounds of the town. 

1691. The town is indicted for not supporting a school. 

1692. A year rendered memorable in the annals of New 
England, from the sufferings occasioned by the delusions of pre- 
tended witchcraft. A portion of Essex county was the most af- 
fected by it, but it was not confined exclusively to that region. 
There is reason to believe that the malady did not extend to this 
place, as no mention is made of any Dedham people being brought 
within its malign influence. 

1694. Jonathan Fairbanks having complained to the town 
that the way to his land at Low Plain, as first laid out, had be- 
come so "annoyed and slopped" as to be difficult to find, a com- 
mittee is appointed to slake it out anew, as near the original 
bounds as can now be ascertained. 

1695. Three hundred acres of land were granted by the Pro- 
prietors, for the support of schools in the town, to be managed by 
Trustees, and called the School Farm. This tract to be located 
in that portion of the common lands lying in the north part of the 
town, (now Needham,) and the best of the lands there. 

1696. In March, Rev. Mr. Belcher proposed to the town that 
if they would make up his salary for the quarter commencing 
15th December last, he will take up with a free contribution for 
the remaining three quarters of the year, which proposition is ac- 
ceded to by the town. 

1697. March meeting, Rev. Mr. Belcher being present, " de- 
clared his kind and thankful acceptance of what the town had 



22 CHRONOLOGICAL HISTORY. 

done for him the last year on account of his salary, in a way 
of free contribution," and his willingness to rely on the same 
method, instead of a salary, the present year. 

1698. In March, voted, that Rev. Mr. Belcher's salary be 
601. in money, and to be supplied with wood. Each person to 
enclose his portion of the salary in a paper and to put it into the 
box on the sabbath days, with his name written on the paper, that 
the deacon might keep an account thereof. All loose money put 
into the box to be accounted as a free gift to the pastor. 

1699. Thirty-four hundred acres of the undivided lands lying 
near Sudbury and Watertown, now included within the bounds 
of Sherburne, were apportioned among the Proprietors in lots of 
two hundred acres each. The bounty for killing wolves is in- 
creased to twenty shillings, for each full grown wolf, and an un- 
usual number are destroyed. In March, the School land is or- 
dered to be sold, and the money received for it to be improved 
for the benefit of a school in Dedham. Forty acres of land near 
Neponset river are granted to Ezra Morse, in satisfaction to him 
" for letting fall his corn mill at Mother Brook," for the benefit of 
the meadows and the other mills. 

1700. The corn mill of Timothy Whiting having been de- 
stroyed by fire, the town granted to him the loan of 251. without 
interest, of the money to be received from the sale of the School 
Farm, to rebuild it. In September, " Sir Prentiss began to keep 
the school, and is to receive 251. for the year and keeping his 
horse with hay and grass." Twelve acres of land are granted 
to John Metcalf, for encouragement to him to set up his trade 
as a tanner in this town. A highway is laid out, by desire of 
Lieut. Gov. William Stoughton, from the country road near the 
Wolf Pit, on the west side of Ridge hill southerly to Purgatory 
swamp and Neponset river, two rods wide. 

1701. Voted, to raise the sum of 40/. to enlarge the meet- 
ing-house ; half to be paid in wheat, at 5s. per bushel, rye at As. 
and corn at two shillings, and a days work at two shillings. A 
number of Roxbury people living adjacent to Dedham, and us- 
ually attending public worship here, offer to bear a proportionable 



CHRONOLOGICAL HISTORY. 23 

share of the expense of enlarging and repairing the meeting- 
house, which offer is accepted by the town. The town by vote 
declare that no act passed half an hour after sunset shall stand 
good or be valid. A former vote of the town is revived, prohib- 
iting the owners of houses or lands from disposing of the same to 
strangers, or to any person who is not an inhabitant or proprietor, 
without the approbation of the town or the selectmen for the lime 
being. Information is given to the selectmen, that " a leame 
gearle is latelv come into our town whose name is Wodckins, 
entertained at the house of Edward Cooke ;" sergeant Kingsbu- 
ry is desired " to give notis to said leame gearle that she doe de- 
part forthwith out of this town, and also to give notis to said Ed- 
ward Cooke that he is disallowed to entertaine her in our said 
town." Similar notices are frequent in the records. A highway 
is established by the town, from Dedham Island over the great 
causeway to the great plain, three rods wide. 

1702. Liberty is granted to inhabitants to erect pews on the 
lower floor of the meeting-house, at the sides where there are no 
seats, under the direction of a committee. Short pews were also 
voted to be made by the pulpit stairs, where the boys shall be 
seated. 

1704. March 6, a general meeting was held and the usual 
town officers chosen. Doubts being entertained by some of the 
legality of this meeting, on account of informality in the warrant, 
another meeting was held on the 13th, when it was voted that 
the former election was illegal. The selectmen ordered another 
town meeting to be held on the 27th of the month, at which time 
a new set of town officers were chosen. Dissatisfaction still ex- 
isting among the inhabitants, application is made to the court of 
general sessions, which court annulled the proceedings at the two 
former elections, and issued a warrant for a new election to be 
made on the 17th of April following ; on which day a third set 
of town officers were chosen, and the affairs of the town proceeded 
on smoothly as before. 

1705. Three acres of land are granted to Eleazer Clap, to be 
laid out to him at the Major's plain, adjoining his own land, in 
exchange for one acre at the corner of his home lot, between the 



24 CHRONOLOGICAL HISTORY- 

highway and Neponset river, for a Burying place. August 31, 
a receipt appears in the town records, over the signature of Rev. 
Mr. Belcher, acknowledging the annual receiving in years past of 
the 601. granted by the town for his salary, also from sundry in- 
dividuals of 40^. additional, yearly, which it appears was prom- 
ised him at his settlement, making his salary lOOZ. per annum 
in money, and wood to the value of lOl. The receipt is in full 
up to March 1, 1704. The ministerial tax this year is assessed 
upon one hundred and fifty-six persons. 

1706. Nicholas Cook, and some other inhabitants of Dedham, 
"living near to Mendon, upon consideration that they are new 
beginners there, and summe of them very poore," are at their 
own request exempted from paying any portion of the public 
charges for two years. May 13, it was put to the vole of the 
town, whether they will forego the new bridge over Charles riv- 
er, and build a bridge at the place called the Old Mill — decided 
in the negative. The Cart bridge over Charles river is rebuilt 
this year, partly by highway work. 

1709. The new bridge having been carried away by a flood, 
measures are immediately taken for rebuilding it. A committee 
is appointed to make application to the county court, to have a 
portion of the expense of building some of the bridges on the 
country road paid by the county. 

1711. Needham is set ofT from Dedham and incorporated as 
a township. 

1715. " Whereas, great complaint is made to the town of dis- 
orders in the meeting-house by boys in playing and other ways, 
the town declare their mind is, that all the boys under fourteen 
years of age shall sit in the alleys below, or in the hindmost seats 
in the south gallery ; and the town have left it with the selectmen 
to depute meet persons to take care of said boys." A way is laid 
out from the way leading to the new bridge to the way leading to 
Nathaniel Richards' farm ; also from said way to the road leading 
to Westfield. 

1716. The bounty allowed for killing wolves is repealed. 



CHRONOLOGICAL HISTORY. 25 

1717. Highways are laid out this year from Sandy Valley 
hill to Dead swamp ; from Rock meadows to lands of John and 
Joseph Baker, near Duckling's hole, across Cedar swamp brook ; 
and from said way to the church land, in the west parish. 

1718. In March, the selectmen agreed with Jarvis Pike to 
take care of the boys in the meeting-house, and keep them in or- 
der three months for six shillings. The town ordain that any 
person, who is an inhabitant or proprietor of land in the town, 
who shall lease any house or land to a stranger not regularly ad- 
mitted to be an inhabitant of Dedham, and giving such security 
as the selectmen may reasonably require — such person to forfeit 
and pay tvventy shillings for each month such stranger remains. 
It is further ordained, that any person or persons belonging to 
Dedham, who shall directly or indirectly keep, harbor, or in any 
way entertain any person that the selectmen have warned to de- 
part out of the town, shall forfeit tvventy shillings for every month 

they shall so entertain or harbor such person. 

•- 

1719. Bellingham is set off from Dedham and incorporated 

as a township. In May, a bounty of six pence is voted for every 
rattlesnake killed in the town ; the persons claiming this bounty 
to bring in to the treasurer an inch and a half of the end of the 
serpent's tail with the rattle. A highway from New bridge to 
the road leading by Westfield is ordered to be laid out, where 
land is left for the same. 

1721. The rattlesnake bounty is repealed. Cart bridge is re- 
built this year. November 27, a petition is presented to the se- 
lectmen, requesting them to call a town meeting for the purpose 
of choosing Trustees to receive and dispose of the town's share 
of the 50,000^. of bills of credit, issued by order of the general 
court; the selectmen decline calling a meeting at present, "be- 
cause of the spreading of the sickness of the small pox, and be- 
cause of the fears of suffering further." Three Trustees were 
subsequently chosen to receive the tovvn's share of this loan, and 
to let it out on interest to the inhabitants for four years, in sums 
not exceeding 20Z. nor less than 51. to any individual. 

1722. January, the small pox is still prevalent in the town, 
and the inhabitants hold their meetings in a private house, for 

4 



26 CHRONOLOGICAL HISTORV. 

fear of the contagion. The inhabitants living in the south part 
of Dedham, petition to be set off as a separate precinct ; a com- 
inittee is chosen to report on the subject. Five pounds are voted 
to rebuild New bridge, provided Needham will rebuild the other 
half. The Trustees who hold the school money are instructed to 
let it out at six per cent, interest. The inhabitants living at 
Clapboard trees, present a petition to the town to have the meet- 
ing-house removed, for their better accommodation, or else to be 
set off as a separate town or precinct — petition not granted. 

172.3. April 29, six of the citizens are deputed a committee to 
proceed to Roxbury, for the purpose of bringing ihe'body of rev- 
erend Joseph Belcher, who died there, into Dedham ; forty 
pounds were subsequently voted by the town to defray the ex- 
penses of his funeral. A small parcel of land is granted to Jean 
Barnard, near Little river, for a place to burn lime. The stocks 
belonging to the town having disappeared, sergeant William Bul- 
lard and Ephraim Wilson are desired by the selectmen to look 
them up, and when found to repair and set them in their^place. 
August 26, the boys continuing to be troublesome in the meet- 
ing-house, Jarvis Pike is again employed to keep them in sub- 
jection until next March meeting, for which service he is to re- 
ceive sixteen shillings. Mr. Samuel Dexter received a unani- 
mous call from the church and the town to become their pastor. 
His reply, accepting the invitation, is dated at Mendon, Dec. 6. 

1724. Walpole is set off from Dedham and incorporated as a 
township. Mathew Barnard is fined 3^. 6s. 8d. the money " to 
go to the poor of the town, for his default in selling drink without 
license." 

1726. The school is kept as last year, part of the time at the 
school house near the meeting house, and part of the year at the 
house of John Richards in Clapboardtrees. The masters' salary 
is forty pounds. 

1727. In March, voted, that the money given to the town by 
Robert Avery, lately deceased, be confided to the Trustees of the 
school money. July 31, a town meeting was held to consider 
the petition of the inhabitants of the southerly part of the town, 



CHRONOLOGICAL HISTORY. 27 

to be sei ofTas a distinct precinct ; the petition is rejected, and a 
committee chosen to oppose the project at the next session of the 
general court. A petition from the west part of the town to have 
the meeting-house removed to a more central location, is also re- 
jected. 

1728. Three Trustees are chosen to receive the town's share 
of the 60,000Z. of bills of credit, recently granted by the general 
court ; the same to be let out to the inhabitants in sums not ex- 
ceeding 201. nor less than 51. to one individual. 

1730. The second parish, including Clapboardtrees and a por- 
tion of Stoughton, is incorporated into a separate precinct. 

1731. John Metcalf is chosen agent for the town, to confer 
with other towns that may be inclined to petition the general 
court to be set ofTfrom SufTolk as a separate county. 

1732. Doctor Nathaniel Ames, the celebrated almanac ma- 
ker, removed to Dedham from Bridgewater. He published forty 
almanacs in as many successive years. Dr. Ames died in 1764. 
He was the father of the late Dr. Nathaniel Ames, and the late 
Hon. Fisher Ames. The Trustees of the town's share of the 
50,000Z. loan money are directed to collect and pay the same to 
the Trustees of the school money, to be by them improved for 
the use of schools a»the other school money is. The representa- 
tive to the general court is instructed to use his endeavors to have 
Dedham and other towns set off from Suffolk and erected into a 
separate county.. The three precincts, to wit, the first precinct — 
the second precinct, including Tiot and Clapboardtrees — and the 
third precinct, or Springfield — first taxed separately this year. 

1733. December 19, a highway is laid out from the country 
road, beginning at the former line between Dedham and Dorches- 
ter, and running by the house of Jeremiah Whiting at Green 
Lodge, and the houses of James and Ebenezer Draper, towards 
Dedham meeting-house. 

1734. A bounty of twenty shillings is offered for each wild 
cat killed in the town ; quite a number of these ferocious animals 
are soon destroyed, and ihcir haunts broken up by the hunters. 



28 CHRONOLOGICAL HISTORV. 

1735. A female was suspended by the church, for the offence 
of evil speaking, reviling, and reproachful language. A way is 
laid out through Ragged plain to Green lodge?, and another from 
Sandy valley to the Clapboardtrees. A committee is chosen to 
attempt the recovery of the School farm, sold by order of the 
town in 1699. The representative to the general court is again 
instructed to use his endeavors for a division of the county. 

1736. The number of persons taxed -in the town this year is 
259 — in the first parish 129, second parish 78, third parish 52, 
The Clapboardtree, or third parish, is set off from the second par- 
ish and. becomes a distinct precinct. 

1738. A part of Stoughton is annexed to Dedham, by a de- 
cree of the general court, and the Neponset river is made the di- 
viding line between the towns of Dedham and Stoughton. The 
town of Stoughton was formerly a part of Dorchester, and the 
boundary line between the latter town and Dedham ranged about 
one mile west from Neponset river, and included a large portion 
of the Fowl meadows now belonging to Dedham. Rev. Mr, 
Dexter preached a century sermon this year, being the one hun- 
dredth anniversary since the gathering of the first church ; this 
sermon was published. 

1739. Timothy "Whiting, Thomas Howe, and others, are set 
ofTfrom Dorchester and annexed, with their estates, to the first 
precinct in Dedham, agreeably to their petition, 

1741, A piece of land, about three quarters of an acre, is laid 
out on the right of Capt. Ebenezer Woodward and given by him 
to the South Precinct, for the use of a Burying place forever, 

1742. The mode of admitting members into the first church 
was so far changed, that the candidate for admission might at his 
own discretion make a public confession, or a more private one 
before the minister. 

1744. In March, a warrant was given to the constable to 
" warn Joseph Wilson and Isaac Frizell and family, to depart out 
of this town, for the selectmen do not allow them to continue in 
the town as inhabitants." Every person coming to reside in the 



CHRONOLOGICAL HISTORV. 29 

town was required to be reported to the selectmen. If upon dili- 
gent inquiry the selectmen had reason to fear any such person 
might become a charge to the town, they were empowered to or- 
der such to depart within fourteen days, or to give security as 
the law required. For many years, both before and after this 
date, this power was often exercised. The number of persons 
taxed in the first parish is 129, second 81, third 62, fourth or 
Springfield parish 64. 

1748. Deacon Nathaniel Kingsbury made a donation to the 
town of one hundred pounds, old tenor, the yearly interest of 
which to be appropriated for the benefit of the School. Mill 
creek and Dwight's bridges rebuilt, by a grant of money from the 
court of sessions. 

1749. The number of the tribe at the Indian settlement at 
Natick is 166. 

1752. The new or Gregorian style of computing time was 
adopted in England, and consequently in this country. 

1756. Samuel Colburn by his last will gave his estate, con- 
sisting of one hundred and thirty-four acres of valuable land, for 
the support of an Episcopal church in Dedham. A part of Ded- 
ham village is now built upon a portion of this estate. An annu- 
al income of about seven hundred dollars accrues to the church 
from the lease of these lands. This income came near being 
much less than it now is, as appears from the historical discourse 
of Rev. Mr. Babcock, published in 1845, an appendix to which 
contains the following anecdote : — " In 1791, the twenty-two acres 
of land, lying all around us, were offered at public vendue, and a 
Mr. William Palmer was the auctioneer. It was designed to 
procure for them an hundred dollars per annum. But the gentle- 
man who had at heart the interest of the Church, perceiving 
there was a combination among the bidders, not to go higher than 
seventy-five dollars, but let one bid them off, and ' all share the 
spoils,' entreated the auctioneer to 'pound on his barrell' (he 
probably stood on one) till sundown— agreeing to take them him- 
self for fifteen years, at one hundred and thirty-five dollars, and 
then give them up in an improved condition. The man pounded 



30 CHRONOLOGICAL HISTORY- 

on his barrel, till sundown ; none bid above the seventy-five dol- 
lars, and the sale was adjourned (happily for us) sine die." By 
Mr. Colburn's will, this estate was given to Ezekiel Kingsbury 
and Samuel Richards, in trust, for the benefit of the Church. 

1760. A motion made at the May meeting, to see if the town 
will apply to the general court for power to raise money by lotte- 
ry for repairing the Long Causeway, is negatived. A highway 
is laid out across Pond plain, from the Medfield road, towards 
Clapboardtree meeting-house. 

1762. March IS, a committee was chosen to build a powder 
house, " on a great rock on Aaron Fuller's land near Charles 
river." The building was not completed until three years after 
this period. 

1763. John Fairbanks asks leave of the selectmen to "remove 
his house six or eight feet southward, further on to the town's 
land," so that he may be enabled to repair the back part of said 
house, which now laps on to captain Metcalf's land, and said 
Metcalf forbids his going on to his land to repair the same ; — pe- 
tition granted. A highway is laid out this year from the old 
country road to John Eaton's, over Ragged plain. 

1764. March 5, a premium of one shilling, as heretofore, was 
voted for each rattlesnake killed in the town the ensuing year. 
This premium was paid to sundry persons for thirty rattlesnakes 
killed this year. Cart bridge over Charles river is rebuilt, 

1765. The town instructed their representative in the general 
court, enjoining upon him the duty of resisting the stamp act, for 
reasons fully set forth ; the right of the town to give such instruc- 
tions is strongly maintained. Number of houses in the town 239, 
families 309 ; total number of inhabitants 1919, classed as fol- 
lows — white people under 16 years 858, over 16 years 1015, ne- 
groes and mulattoes 36, Indians 6, French neutrals 4. 

1766. December 1, at a meeting called for the purpose of 
considering the subject of compensating the suflferers for losses 
sustained by the riots in Boston in August, 1765, a bill for which 
was pending in the general court, the town voted, " that none 



CHRONOLOGICAL HISTORY. 31 

but the villains who perpetrated the same, and their accomplices, 
are or ought to be accountable therefor ;" that " the sufferers 
have no demand upon the Province in point of justice ;" and that 
it would establish a dangerous precedent to grant the indemnity 
as a matter of right. But their representative was instructed to 
give his vote to make up the real losses, out of the public treasu- 
ry, as a testimony of their " unfeigned gratitude to those worthy 
personages who generously and nobly patronized the British Col- 
onies, by promoting the repeal of the Stamp Act, and by other 
good offices, who we understand are desirous that compensation 
should be made." The Monumental Stone, now standing at the 
corner of Court and High-streets, was raised and consecrated to 
Liberty's friend. It was originally surmounted b}'' a comely pil- 
lar, and a bust of William Pitt, as a testimony of gratitude for 
his patriotic efforts in behalf of the Colonies. This Stone was 
replaced by the citizens July 4, 1S28. The Pound near the 
house of Ephraim Colburn was rebuilt of stone. This Pound 
was not accepted by the town until 1768, in consequence of some 
difficulty respecting the sum to be paid for building it. The 
building committee finally abated a few shillings of their first de- 
mand, after several hearings before the town, and the difficulty 
was settled. A donation of 6Z. 13^. ^d. for the support of schools, 
was presented to the town by Samuel Dexter, to be added to a 
like sum given by him the last year. 

1767. November 16, the following votes were passed unani- 
mously : " Voted, that this town will in all prudent methods en- 
courage the use of such articles as may be produced or manufac- 
tured in the British American Colonies, particularly in this Prov- 
ince, and discourage the use of superfluities imported from 
abroad — and will not purchase any articles of foreign produce or 
manufacture, when the same articles may be got of the produce 
or manufacture of the said Colonies." 

" Voted, that this town will strictly adhere to the new Regu- 
lations respecting Funerals — that no gloves shall be used on such 
occasions but such as are manufactured in this Province — that no 
articles of mourning shall be purchased, except a weed and black 
gloves for men, and a black bonnet without gauze on it, a black 
handkerchief, ribband, fan and gloves for women." 



32 CHRONOLOGICAL HISTORV. 

These voles having been put into a proper form for subscrip- 
tion, and a suitable introduction prefixed, they were signed by the 
inhabitants of the town. 

176S. May 18, Samuel Dexter, representative in the general 
court, was instructed to use his endeavors to have an excise laid 
on spiritous liquors. June 7, Mr. Dexter being "elected into 
His Majesty's Council," the town voted not to choose a represen- 
tative to fill his place in the " great and general court," at its 
present session. September 22, Richard Woodward and Nathan- 
iel Sumner were chosen delegates to the Convention then in ses- 
sion at Faneuil Hall, to consider the critical state of public af- 
fairs. 

1770. March 5, the town resolved to do their utmost for the 
encouragement of Domestic Manufactures ; they also voted that 
they would use no foreign Tea, nor allow it to be used in their 
families, " until such time as, the Duty being first taken off, this 
Town shall by some future Vote grant an indulgence to drink 
Tea to such as have not Virtue enough to leave off the Use of it 
forever." At this time the inhabitants were nearly all agricul- 
turalists. 

1772. The town resolved to unite with other towns in pursu- 
ing such measures as may tend to an effective redress ©f griev- 
ances, and the establishment of their charter rights and privi- 
leges. 

1773. June 14, a committee chosen to consider the expedi- 
ency of erecting a house for the poor, reported in favor of build- 
ing a work-house, "in that part of the training ground lately im- 
proved by lieutenant Richards, deceased." This report was ac- 
cepted, and the house soon after erected, 32 feet long, 30 wide, » 
two stories high, with a cellar 11 feet by 30. Previous to this 
time the poor of the town were quartered upon the inhabitants 
on such terms as could be agreed upon. 

1774. September 1, the resolves of the convention recently 
held in Boston, not to supply the British troops with any articles, 
except provisions, were unanimously approved by the town. 



CIIRONOT.or.ICAL HISTOKY. 33 

Five persons were chosen to attend a Convention to be held in 
this town on the 6th September, to devise means " to prevent the 
operation of the acts of Parliament lately passed, so destructive of 
the rights, liberties, and privileges of this people." This conven- 
tion assembled at the house of Richard Woodward, and was com- 
posed of delegates from every town and district in the county of 
Suffolk, of which Norfolk comprised a part. The first recorded 
resolution to try the issue with Great Britain, if need be at the 
point of the sword, was adopted by this convention, and may be 
found entered on the journal of the earliest Continental Congress. 
Woodward's house was situated on High-street, opposite the 
Monumental Stone, and was the birth place of Fisher Ames. 
September 29, all monies now in the hands of collectors were 
ordered to be withheld from the Province treasurer, until the de- 
termination of the Continental Congress was known. December 
5, the town solemnly engaged to conform to all the resolves and 
recommendations of the Congress, in opposition to their oppres- 
sors. The vote to refrain from the use of Tea was renewed, and 
a large committee appointed to see that this engagement was not 
violated ; if any one should be so devoid of patriotism, his name 
was to be posted up in the several parishes, and declared an en- 
emy to his country. 

1775. January 2, Samuel Dexter and Abner Ellis were cho- 
sen delegates to the Provincial Congress to be holden at Cam- 
bridge. A subscription is opened for " relieving the distressed 
poor of the town of Boston, now cruelly suffering in the common 
cause of America." March 6, the town voted to raise a compa- 
ny of sixty minute- men, to be drilled in the military art three 
half days in each week, and be ready to act on the shortest notice 
in case of alarm; they were enlisted for nine months. " Voted, 
that the selectmen of the town, the committee of correspondence, 
or the committee of inspection, one of each, or any three of either 
of said bodies, be, and are hereby empowered to give the Certifi- 
cate which any teamster conveying to Boston such articles as are 
prohibited to be supplied to the Troops is required to produce, 
and to deliver to one or more of the committee of correspondence 
at Boston." April 19, the news of the battle raging at Lexing- 
ton reached Dedham about nine o'clock in the morninp Five 



34 



CHRONOLOGICAL HISTORY. 



companies of infantry were soon mustered here, and an associa- 
tion of veterans who had done service against the French twenty 
years before. As fast as men enough to form a platoon were 
gathered, they hastened to the scene of action, leaving others to 
follow in squads of half a dozen, as they happened to collect to- 
gether. Capt. Joseph Guild led the minute men ; Lieut. George 
Gould, Capt. William Bullard, Lieut. William Ellis, and Capt. 
Ebenezer Battle, commanded the other companies. Of those 
who arrived in season to participate in the action, one, Ellas 
Haven, was killed, and one, Israel Everett, wounded. May 29, 
it was voted to raise one hundred and twenty additional minute- 
men in the different parishes, to stand ready to march on an alarm 
in defence of their country, and to meet on Dedham Common at 
one o'clock on the following Thursday, to choose their officers. 
It was also voted to pay the men who were called down and were 
in the service on former alarms, and to make up the pay of those 
called into actual service to four shillings per day. Hon. Samuel 
Dexter signified his willingness to give his trouble and expenses 
in serving the town all the Congress, for which liberality a vote 
of thanks is passed. The great gun of king Philip's day is or- 
dered " to be swung ;" a person is appointed to take charge of it 
in the day time, and a guard detailed to protect it by night. 

1776. May 27, the town unanimously resolved to support the 
Continental Congress, should that body see fit to declare the In- 
dependence of the Colonies. July 12, seven pounds, in addition 
to the bounty offered by government, was voted to each volunteer 
who would enlist in the army ; seventy men received this bounty. 
Fifty-five soldiers were in actual service this year, from the first 
parish only. Provision was made for the families of the soldiers 
in distress. Population, about 1700 souls. 

1777. February 10, twenty-four pounds, in addition to what 
Congress and the general court have offered, were granted to 
each man who enlists for three years, or during the war; forty- 
nine soldiers received this bounty. October 8, nine hundred 
pounds were granted to pay the bounty to those who had enlist- 
ed. The second parish having raised their quota of men for the 
Continental service, without the town's bounty or any part of it. 



CHRONOLOGICAL IIISTOKY. 35 

their proportion of the taxes assessed for paying tiiis bounty, is 
comnfiitted to the constable of that precinct to be disposed of as 
the precinct shall see fit. A quantity of guns were purchased, 
and ammunition procured and distributed through the town. A 
committee is appointed to provide for the families of those sol- 
diers who have enlisted in the Continental service. Numerous 
meetings were held by the town, required by the unsettled state 
of affairs, 

177S. In January, the articles of confederation of the colonies 
were approved by the town. Ninety men from the first parish 
alone were employed in the army. 

1779. The town instructed their representative in the gen- 
eral court to vote for calling a State Convention, for the purpose 
of forming a new State constitution. March 1, the town voted to 
accept of a donation of one thousand dollars, made by Deacon 
Samuel Damon, the same to be invested, and the interest to bo 
applied to the relief of the poor out of the Poor house, annually. 
June 26, a committee is chosen from the different precincts, to 
assist the militia officers in hiring soldiers when called for by 
government, and also to assist the treasurer in hiring money from 
time to time for replenishing the town treasury. Complaint is 
made that the apportionment recently laid upon the several towns 
by the general court, is unequal, and bears particularly hard upon 
this town ; a committee is chosen to take such measures for re- 
dress of grievances as they may deem expedient. July 29, Eev. 
Jason Haven and Dr. John Sprague were chosen to represent 
the town in a convention to be holden at Cambridge in Septem- 
ber, for the purpose of framing a new Constitution. Eight thou- 
sand pounds were assessed, towards defraying the expense of hir- 
ing soldiers for the public service. 

1780. April 17, the committee for hiring soldiers for the pub- 
lic service, make a report that sixty-six men have enlisted ; 
whereupon the town vote to raise the sum of twelve thousand 
pounds to pay the expenses of the same. October 12, the sum 
of thirty-six thousand pounds was ordered to be as.^essed, for the 
purchase of beef for the army; also, eight thousand pounds to 
pay for horses for the use of the army. December 25, another 



36 



CIIKONOLOUICAL HISTORY. 



requisition having been niade by the general court, for supplies 
lor the Continental army, the town voted an assessment of sixty- 
five thousand pounds for procuring beef, in addition to previous 
assessments. The currency at this time was very much depre- 
ciated. A deduction of two shillings in the pound was made to 
those who promptly paid their taxes. The town gave a unani- 
mous vote of 132, for most of the articles of the State Constitu- 
tion. Some articles were objected to, and a committee chosen to 
report amendments to the objectionable parts. 

17S1. In May, the sum of two thousand pounds, in lawful 
money, or the exchange in Continental currency, was granted to 
defray the expenses of hiring soldiers for the army. July 3, cap- 
tain Daniel Gay was chosen " a committee to repair to Boston 
tomorrow morning, to call upon our representative to remonstrate 
to the general court that we think that we are called upon to 
raise more than our proportion of men to fill up the Continental 
army, and pray for relief." August 6, the town having voted on 
the 9th. July, to receive of the inhabitants one dollar and seven 
eighths of a dollar in government bills of the new emission, in 
stead of a hard dollar, for the taxes assessed in May last, provided 
the same were paid ;by the first of August — the collectors were 
directed ^to receive for said taxes nothing but hard money ; and 
in payment for former taxes, the collectors were directed not to 
receive any paper money, but to receive one dollar in hard money 
for seventy-five. 

1782. Permits are given to sundry persons to sell Bohea and 
other India Teas by retail for one year, they rendering an account 
and paying the duties thereon, agreeable to an act of the general 
court, passed November 1, 1781. 

1784. July 17, Dover, comprising the fourth or Springfield 
parish, is set off from the town, and incorporated into a separate 
District. A committee is appointed to settle accounts between 
Dover and Dedham. Paul's bridge over Neponset river is re- 
built. Great difticulties existed at this time in collecting taxes, 
on account of the fluctuation of the currency. 

1785. May 9, a plan was adopted by the town for designating 
the places for holding future meetings; which was, that ihc first 



CHRONOLOGICAL HISTOKY. 37 

precinct have an equal number of meetings as the other two pre- 
cincts, until it amounts to forty-six meetings ; and then the first 
precinct to have one meeting in addition, on account of surplus- 
age of taxes. This plan to begin in March next. 

1786. May 29, it being in contemplation to divide the county 
of Suffolk, with which Tslorfolk is united, instructions are given 
to Nathaniel Kingsbury, representative in the general court, to 
favor the project, for reasons fully given. Also, to oppose the 
emission of a new paper currency ; but to do what he can to en- 
courage Domestic manufactures, and prevent the introduction of 
foreign luxuries. In October, the town responded to a communi- 
cation from the town of Boston, relative to the discontents which 
resulted in Shay's rebellion this year, promising the most stren- 
uous exertions in support of government. 

1787. April 23, Aaron Fuller, town treasurer, received of 
Daniel Gookins, a woman's riding saddle and a " pinch back 
watch," value six pounds, in full for said Gookins' improving the 
Work-house from August 12, 1784, to this day, at which time 
Gookins quits said house. December 10, Rev. Thomas Thacher 
and Fisher Ames, Esq. were chosen delegates to the Convention 
to be held in Boston, for the purpose of adopting the Constitution 
or frame of government, for the United States. The town voted 
to discontinue the road leading from Dedham Island over Vine 
Rock bridge to Roxbury. 

1788. Hon. Fisher Ames is chosen to represent the town in 
the State legislature, and is also chosen to represent the Suffolk 
district in the first Congress. Norfolk was a part of this district. 
Mr. Ames held his seat in Congress for eight years; he died 
July 4, 1808. 

17S9. May 11, a committee chosen to ascertain the town's 
claim to the Mother Brook stream and land adjoining, formerly 
granted to Nathaniel Whiting and James Draper, reported, that 
Messrs. Joseph Whiting, jr. Paul, Moses, and Aaron Whiting, 
have consented to give the town six pounds for an acquittance of 
the town's claim to said stream, and advise a compliance with 
these terms. Thi? report was accepted, and the town treasurer 



38 CHRONOLOGICAL IIISTORV. 

directed to give a quitclaim in behalf of the town, on receipt of 
the money. 

1790. October 4, it was voted, that the manner of calling town 
meetings for the future, be by posting up a copy of the warrant 
in the several meeting-houses in the town. The warrant to be 
issued by the selectmen and directed to such person as they shall 
appoint, who is to make due return of such warning, as the law 
directs. The practice of notifying town meetings heretofore had 
been, by the selectmen's causing a copy of their warrant to be 
posted up in each parish. December 24, a large number of fam- 
ilies and individuals, who had lately come to abide in the town, 
were warned by order of the selectmen to depart within fifteen 
days, they not having obtained the town's consent to reside here. 
The number of persons so warned to depart at this time exceeded 
one hundred. 

1791. May 9, a new bridge, ten feet wider than the old one, 
is directed to be built over Mill creek. 

1792. The small pox is prevalent in the town ; a town meet- 
ing is called, and measures adopted for a general inoculation of 
the inhabitants. 

1793. June 20, the County of Norfolk was established, and 
Dedham became the shire town. The method of admitting mem- 
bers in the first church was altered, under Rev. Mr. Haven's 
ministry, requiring the candidate to be propounded to the con- 
gregation by the minister ; if no objection was made within four- 
teen days, he was admitted. The church covenant and creed 
were altered at the same time. Tate and Brady's version of 
Psalms exchanged for those of Dr. Watts, in this church. 

1794. The government having made a requisition for sol- 
diers, the town offer a bounty of two dollars to such as may vol- 
unteer as minute-men, and to all who may be called into actual 
service, ten dollars per month, in addition to the Continental pay, 
with ten dollars pay in advance. September 17, a map of the 
town was ordered to be drawn. An offer having been made by 
persons not residents of the town, to build one half of Vine Rock 
bridge, a committee was chosen to build the other half; the bridge 



CHRONOLOGICAL HISTORY. 39 

to be built within two months. The legislature granted to the 
rector, officers, wardens and vestry of the Episcopal church in 
this town, power to lease the land belonging to said church. 

1796. The first newspaper established here ; it was called the 
" Columbian Minerva." Leave was given to Calvin Whiting to 
conduct water by pipes through the public roads in the first pre- 
cinct. 

1797. The Natick tribe of Indians is reduced to twenty in 
number. This tribe was the first of the Natives upon whom the 
experiment of civilization was attempted with any success. It 
partially succeeded through the efforts of reverend John Eliot^ 
who, in 1651, gathered them into a village at Natick, hence 
their name. He translated the Bible into their own language, 
taught them the doctrines of the christian religion, and instructed 
them in the arts of civilization, in which they made great pro- 
gress. But the traits peculiar to the Indian character, their rov- 
ing disposition and natural indolence, caused them again to de- 
generate, and finally to follow in the downward course marked out 
for their race. The tribe became wholly extinct previous to 1826. 

1798. April meeting, it was voted to accept of the road leading 
from the main road to the house of Thaddeus Mason, provided 
the town is at no expense for the land for said road or fencing 
the same. This road leads from High-street, opposite the house 
of Dr. J. Stimson, southerly towards Wigwam pond. 

1799. The money granted for the support of schools to be 
divided by the number of scholars in each district, between the 
ages of five and sixteen ; the time of taking the ages of children 
this year to be on the 25th of December. 

1800. February 22, a Eulogy was delivered before the inhab- 
itants, by Rev. Thomas Thacher, and other appropriate services 
had, " in commemoration of the illustrious George Washington," 
pursuant to a vote of the town of February 10. 

1801. In January, a fire engine, purchased by the voluntary 
subscription of individuals, was presented to the town for the use 
of the inhabitants. This engine was located at the upper village 



40 CHRONOLOGICAL HISTORY. 

in the first parish, and a company of twelve men appointed to 
take charge of the same. April 1, letters are advertised as re- 
maining in the post-office in this town for people in the towns of 
Dedham, Med way, Bellingham, Medfield, Dover, Foxborough^ 
Walpole, Hopkinton, Sharon, Canton, Franklin, Kittery, Stough- 
ton, Sherburne, and Cohasset. 

1802. A second fire engine, purchased by subscription of in- 
dividuals, was presented to the town, and a company of eighteen 
men were attached to the same. This engine was called the 
Good-Intent, and located in Dedham village. Turnpike road 
from Dedham to Boston commenced. 

1806. October 20, the Union light infantry, commanded by 
captain Jacob Clark, was presented with a standard by the citi- 
zens, through the hands of Hon. Fisher Ames. On the same 
day, in addition to the light infantry, a troop of cavalry, under 
captain Baker, and the three militia companies belonging to the 
town, paraded for review and inspection, under major Ellis. A 
highway is established from East-street, near D wight's bridge, 
to Mill village. 

1807. April 6, a vote of thanks was passed to the gentleman, 
who, through the hands of Rev. Thomas Thacher, has from 1792 
to the present time, made an annual donation to the town for 
the relief of the sick and indigent ; the aggregate amount so re- 
ceived and distributed is $157,25. The donor was the honorable 
Samuel Dexter of Mendon, formerly a resident in this town, and 
one of its liberal benefactors. Paul's bridge over Neponset river 
rebuilt ; an agreement is entered into with the town of Milton for 
supporting the same. 

1808. May 2, rules and regulations for the Work-house adopt- 
ed. December 13, a meeting was held to see if the town will 
offer any encouragement to the men called for by government ; 
it was voted, to make up the pay of each soldier to twelve dollars 
a month from the time they are called into actual service, and a 
bounty of two dollars is granted to each volunteer. The first 
cotton factory erected here by the Norfolk cotton manufacturing 
company. The way from Medfield road to Clapboardtrees meet- 



CHRONOLOGICAL HISTORV. 41 

ing-house was established as a public highway. Also, a highway 
from Paul's bridge across Low plain to Mill village. 

1809. September 4, measures are taken by the town for a 
general inoculation of the inhabitants for the kine pock, as a 
preventive of the small pox. 

1811. An article being inserted in the warrant for March 
meeting, to see if the town will direct their treasurer to receive 
of their collector a five dollar bill received by him for taxes, 
which bill is now uncurrent, it was decided to receive said bill, 
provided the collector would moke oath that he received the same 
for taxes, and the treasurer was directed to dispose of it to the 
best advantage. 

1812. May 4, a donation of S170, given to the town by the 
last will of Hon. Samuel Dexter, a native of Dedham, as a fund, 
the annual interest of which to be added to the income of their 
other school money for the support of Schools, was accepted, and 
the treasurer directed to loan out said money and take such se- 
curity as the selectmen shall approve. In making this bequest, 
Mr. Dexter suggests that certain sums formerly appropriated for 
the same purpose, both principal and interest of which were ex- 
pended during the revolution in hiring soldiers, should be replaced 
by the town. A communication having been received from the 
town of Roxbury, relative to the removal of the shire town to that 
place, Messrs. James Richardson, Erastus Worthington, and Na- 
thaniel Ames, were appointed a committee to oppose the project. 
July 20, the town granted such additional sums to the militia 
men who may be drafted into the public service, as will make 
their monthly pay amount to fifteen dollars ; the selectmen were 
directed to furnish each detached soldier with ball cartridges, a.s 
required by the commander-in-chief, if they cannot be obtained 
from the "public ordinances." Decided resolutions were adopted 
to support the government in the existing war with Great Britain. 
Soldiers for the army were here recruited and drilled. 

1813. November 29, a question having arisen as to the le- 
gality of previous town meetings, the selectmen were directed to 
petition the legislature to confirm the acts and doings ot the town 
6 



42 



CHRONOLOGICAL HISTORY. 



at their several meetings, notwithstanding the omission of posting 
up copies of the warrants for such meetings at the Episcopalian 
and Baptist meeting houses for public worship, as required by the 
vote of the town, October 4, 1790. 

1815. March 6, an action having been brought by John S. 
Williams, Esq. against the selectmen, for rejecting his vote for a 
member of Congress in 1812, the amount of twenty dollars paid 
by them in defending said action was refunded by vote of the 
town. April 3, the light tnfantry company having been detached 
for a tour of military duty at South Boston, the pay of each mem- 
ber was made up to sixteen dollars per month ; the extra dollar 
being for wear and damage to their uniform. In October, the 
first division Massachusetts militia, commanded by major general 
Crane, mustered at Low plain in this town, for review and in- 
spection. 

1816. April 1, the selectmen were directed to collect all such 
books, pamphlets, statutes, and ancient records, as belong to the 
town, and provide a convenient place for their safe keeping, so 
that they may be accessible to the inhabitants. A highway is es- 
tablished from the old Hartford road to Abner Ellis' saw mill, 
in the west parish. 

1817. An order of notice having been received from the gen- 
eral court, concerning the petition of Samuel H. Deane and oth- 
ers, for a separation of the town, by setting off the second and 
third parishes as a distinct town, the town refused their consent 
to such separation, by a vote of 78 to 27, and instructed their 
representative to oppose it in the general court. The school 
money granted by the town this year to be divided as follows : — 
Each district to receive one half they pay for the use of schools, 
the other half of the grant according to the number of scholars. 
The stone Jail erected. 

1818. April 6, the number of persons in the Work-house is 
twenty-six; of whom one is aged 85 years, one 87 years, and 
one, Moll Saunders, 96 years. The average expense of each 
person in said.house is $1,25 per week. 



CHIIONOLOUICAL, HISTOKV. 43 

1519. Hon. Edward Dowse, of this town, was chosen repre- 
sentative to Congress from Norfolk district ; he took his seat in 
that body in December, and resigned it at the close of the session. 
October 7, this evening the house of Lemuel Smith, on South 
plain, was struck by lightning, and a son of George Hawkins in- 
stantly killed by the electric fluid ; tvvo other children in bed 
with him were injured, but recovered. 

1520. January 13, occurred " an affair of honor," between a 
painter and a barber, who boarded together in the village ; it is 
remarkable only from its ludicrous result. The painter consider- 
ing himself to have been most egregiously insulted by the barber, 
was resolved to have satisfaction. A challenge to mortal combat 
followed, v\:hich was accepted by his opponent. The parties met 
about sunset in a lane near by, eight paces were measured off by 
the seconds, and the combatants took their stations. At the word, 
"fire," the painter's pistol was promptly discharged, which so ter- 
rified his antagonist that he fell in a swoon, and in falling dis- 
charged his pistol at random. He was taken up and carried into 
an adjoining shop. The painter believing he had killed his an- 
tagonist, gave one " long lingering look," and immediately fled. 
Being favored by the darkness of twilight, he eluded the pursuit 
of some friends who almost instantly followed him with money to 
assist his e.«cape, but such was his speed he could not be overta- 
ken. The barber soon recovered from his fright, when it was 
discovered that it was a mock battle, contrived by the seconds for 
their own amusement, who had charged the pistols with powder 
only. The month of January was remarkable for the severity of 
the cold, which continued until the 6th of February ; there were 
several heavy falls of snow during that time, but not a single 
hour of snow-melting weather. February 22, the firing of the 
cannon in Boston this morning, in honor of Washington's birih 
day, occasioned such a jarring of the buildings here as to be sen- 
sibly felt by those within. August 21, the vote for revising the 
State Constitution was yeas 136, nays 8; there are about four 
hundred voters in the town. October 16, James Richardson, 
John Endicott, and William Ellis, were chosen delegates to the 
convention for revising the State Consiituiion. 



-14 CHRONOLOGICAL HISTORY. 

1S21. The funds accruing from the lands granted in 1669, 
for the support of a " teaching church officer" in the town, were 
confirmed to the first church and society, under the pastoral 
charge of Eev. Dr. Lamson, by the Supreme Judicial Court, after 
a full investigation of the subject. The annual income derived 
from these funds is about ten hundred dollars. At the April 
meeting, the road in Dedham village known as Centre-street, was 
made a town way. This street is lined with buildings on both 
^ides, and had been used as a public highway for many years- 
It is now established as such, thirty-three feet wide, on the south- 
erly side of a straight line drawn from a stake in the ground four 
feet from a button wood tree near the post-office, southwesterly 
to an elm tree on Court-street, sixty-two rods. April 17, there 
was a severe snow storm, accompanied by high winds from the 
northeast. There fell about eighteen inches of snow, being the 
greatest quantity for the season that has been known for forty 
years. An adjourned meeting of the State legislature was to 
convene at Boston on the ISth April, but the severity of the storm 
on the preceding day had rendered the roads almost impassable, 
and prevented a sufficient number of the members of the House 
from assembling to constitute a quorum for transacting business. 
August 17, the United States' Cadets, from West Point, 230 in 
number, under command of major Worth, visited this town on 
their homeward march from a military tour to Boston. Sep- 
tember 21, the body of Miss Deborah Newman, who had vvan- 
dered from her boarding house two or three days previous in a 
slate of insanity, was found drowned in the Mill creek. Septem- 
ber 26, Solomon Phipps of Charlestown, in a state of insanity put 
a period to his existence by cutting his throat with a razor, at the 
house of Mr. E. Trescott. 

1822, April 1, agents were appointed by the town, with in- 
structions to oppose the establishment of a road or roads over 
Dedham Island, which subject is now pending before the court 
of sessions. The Proprietor's Records, (so called) and the an- 
cient records of the town, were transferred from the care of Jo- 
seph Metcalf and deposited with the town clerk. A Pound is es- 
tablished in the first parish. The town is indicted for not keep- 
ing a grammar school. June 3, George, son of captain Elislia 



CHRONOLOGICAL HISTORY. 45 

Mcintosh, about eight years of age, was accidentally drowned 
while bathing in Charles river. Doctor Nathaniel Ames, brother 
of Hon. Fisher Ames, died July 21, aged eighty-two years. 

1S23. An addition is made to the Work-house, for the better 
comfort and safe keeping of the insane. April 13, Watts' hymns 
exchanged for Sewall's collection, in the first parish meeting 
house. July 23, a smart shock of an earthquake was felt here 
at two minutes before seven o'clock in the morning ; it was ac- 
companied by a low rumbling noise, and continued about thirty 
seconds. It appeared to come from the southward and pass off 
towards the north. August 25, the Boston "City Guards," pitch- 
ed their tents near Wigwam pond, on a tour of camp duty for a 
few days. November 9, a man named William Babson, was 
found dead in the woods near the upper village, adjacent to the 
Hartford turnpike. 

1824. A difficulty of long standing having existed between 
the town and the Dedham manufacturing company, respecting the 
overflowing the road near the Mother Brook bridge, the subject 
was finally submitted to referees for adjustment ; who decided 
that the company pay to the town the sum of $224,93, including 
the cost of reference, which award was accepted November 1. 
August 23, arrival of the "Nation's Guest." General Laft^yeite 
arrived here at half past ten o'clock in the evening, and stopped 
at Alden's hotel. The loud and repeated cheerings from the as- 
sembled citizens, who had continued to collect through the day 
in expectation of his arrival, — the salute of the artillery, the ring- 
ing of bells, and the brilliant illumination of the houses in the 
village — gave some faint evidence of the satisfaction experienced 
by all on the arrival among us of this distinguished Revolution- 
ary Chief — this friend of America in her time of need, and of 
Liberty throughout the world. He tarried here but one hour, 
during which time hundreds of ladies and gentlemen had the 
gratification of shaking hands with the General ; and had he 
tarried until morning, the time would have been too short to 
gratify all who aspired to that honor. General Lafayette is a re- 
markably tall, majestic looking man, about sixty-eight years of 
age, and was dressed in a plain citizens dress. He was accom- 



46 CHRONOLOGICAL HISTOIIY. 

panied by his son, and one or two other French gentlemen of his 
household. At half past eleven he entered his carriage, and was 
again greeted with the three times three cheers of the citizens, 
and escorted by a cavalcade of about one hundred horsemen to 
the seat of Governor Eustis in Roxbury, where he spent the 
night. August 24, the town was nearly deserted by the inhabi- 
tants ; old and young hastened to Boston, to witness the recep- 
tion of the " Nation's Guest" in that city. A cavalcade of two 
thousand mounted horsemen escorted the General from the seat 
of Governor Eustis to the city line, where he was received by the 
mayor and aldermen, and escorted through the city by the light 
infantry companies of the metropolis, and accompanied by thou- 
sands of citizens on horses and in carriages, under the direction 
of marshals, to the common. The children of the primary schools 
were here arranged in lines, through which the General passed. 
He was afterwards received at the State House by the State au- 
thorities, and partook of a public dinner at the Exchange. Every 
street through which he passed was decorated with flags and tri- 
umphal arches — every building was filled with the beauty and 
taste of the city — every heart responded to the joyous "welcome," 
which greeted the war-worn veteran from every quarter. Simi- 
lar manifestations of joy and gratitude were exhibited by the peo- 
ple in all parts of the Union which he visited. Such was the 
reception awarded to the gallant Chief from a foreign land, who 
periled life and fortune in our behalf, and who, nearly half a cen- 
tury before, had borne so conspicuous a part in the great struggle 
of this country for Independence. Its sublime effect will not be 
lost upon the world. 

1825. March 7, the selectmen were directed to post common 
tipplers. July 4, corner stone of the new court house laid with 
much ceremony. September 5, the number of votes in favor of 
and against the establishment of the contemplated roads over 
Dedham Island, were ordered to be entered upon the records ; on 
the question being put to the town, " Shall the roads as laid out 
by the selectmen on and over Dedham Island be accepted ?" it 
was decided in the negative, 161 to 156. October 31, agents 
were again appointed by the town to oppose the granting of the 
said roads, which subject is still pending before the couri of ses- 



CHRONOLOGICAL HISTORY. 47 

sions. August 26, the Quincy light infantry, commanded by 
captain Brigham, visited this place on a tour of camp duly. 

1826. April 3, the selectmen were directed to have such part 
of their annual report as relates to the poor, printed and circulated 
for the information of the town. October 12, muster at Low 
plain, of the troops comprising the first division Massachusetts 
militia, commanded by major general Crane. November 6, the 
agents of the town were instructed to oppose the establishment of 
the Island road, so long as there shall be any attempt to impose 
the burden of making it upon the town. 

1S27. February 20, the new Court House was dedicated by 
an address from chief justice Parker. The court house is built 
of hewn white granite, brought from a quarry eight miles west 
of it; Messrs. Damon and Bates master builders ; Solom.on Wil- 
lard, architect — cost 830,000. Mr. VVorthington in his history of 
Dedham, published this year, remarks — " I have examined the 
criminal docket in this county foi twenty years past ; I do not 
find that any person, an inhabitant of Dedham, has during that 
time been convicted of any crime in the supreme court, court of 
sessions, or court of common pleas." April 2, two thousand dol- 
lars were granted for repair of highways ; each tax payer to have 
the privilege of working out his tax as heretofore, or, as an equiv- 
alent, to pay two thirds of the amount assessed in money. 

1828. March 3, three-fourths of the highway tax to be paid in 
money, instead of two-thirds, as last year. The Island road hav- 
ing been granted by the court of sessions, a new road to connect 
with it, from Needham road, is ordered to be made. November 
3, a town meeting is notified to be holden in the south parish, at 
one o'clock in the afternoon — refused admittance to the meeting- 
house for transacting town business — adjourned to meet at the 
old court house in the first parish, at four o'clock in the afternoon 
of same day. November 17, a special town meeting was held, 
when it was voted to build a Town House. 

1829. Town House erected; cost, including $118,90 for ser- 
vices of building committee, $2206,72. It is located in the first 
parish. 



48 CHRONOLOGICAL HISTORY. 

1830. Population of the town 3057. A highway leading 
from High-street, opposite the Monumental Stone, across Charles 
river to Dedhara Island, was built this year. 

1831. December 12, fifteen hundred dollars were granted for 
the purchase of fire engines, and improvement of the fire depart- 
ment, which sum to be apportioned in the several districts, ac- 
cording to their taxes. Dedham Institution for Savings incorpo- 
rated. At the May meeting, the vote for a proposed amendment 
of the State Constitution, changing the commencement of the po- 
litical year from the last Wednesday in May to the first Wednes- 
day in January, was for the amendment 29, against it 135. 

1832. The town divided into seven districts, and a surveyor 
of highways appointed in each, for the purpose of keeping them 
in repair. A Town Farm of sixty-three acres, situated in the 
west parish, was purchased of Jesse Warren the last year and is 
appropriated for the poor ; Abner Atherton is placed in charge of 
the establishment. Cost of land and buildings about five thou- 
sand dollars. 

1833. April 1, under a recent act of the legislature, the town 
voted to refund to engine-men, yearly, an amount equal to their 
poll taxes. A branch Railroad, to connect with the Boston and 
Providence Railroad at Low plain, was built this year. The 
road from High-street, opposite the Phoenix House, running 
southwesterly in a bow line to the Norfolk and Bristol turnpike, 
was built and established this year as a town way. It is known 
as Bow-street, and is laid out forty feet wide, except from High- 
street to School-street, through lands of Mason Richards and 
Jesse Wheaton, where it is laid out thirty-five feet in width. In 
November, the vote for the proposed amendment of the State 
Constitution in relation to the third article of the Bill of Rights, 
were, in favor of amendment 245, against 38. 

1834. April 7, the selectmen having at a previous meeting 
been empowered to sell the old Work-house, reported, " that not 
being able at present to ascertain the manner the town came in 
possession of the land where the old Poor-house now stands, they 
therefore recommend that it be let for the present." 



CHRONOLOGICAL HISTORV. 49 

1835. March 30, the new road in the first parish, leading 
from Court-street past the burial ground westerly to High-street, 
was established, and named " Village Avenue," by vote of the 
town. November 9, the town ordered, that school children be 
enumerated from four to sixteen years of age. 

1836. " The Poor House, together with the land and appur- 
tenances thereto belonging," was sold to Reuben Richards for 
$1050, and a deed executed to that effect, by the selectmen. 
September 21, the second centennial anniversary of the incorpo- 
ration of the town, was celebrated by appropriate services, and an 
historical address was delivered before the citizens by Samuel F. 
Haven, Esq. a descendant of reverend Jason Haven. This ad- 
dress was published by vote of the town. Centennial discourses 
were delivered before the congregational societies in the second 
and third parishes, this year, by their respective pastors. Town 
expenses for the year ending March 7, exclusive of highway tax, 
are $7081,06. Silk factory erected. 

1837. There were manufactured in the town this year, 7,135 
pairs of boots, and 18,722 pairs of shoes, valued at $32,483 ; value 
of silk goods manufactured, $10,000 ; of straw bonnets, $20,000 ; 
value of chairs and cabinet ware manufactured, $21,250 ; of mar- 
ble paper and enamelled cards, $18,000. The town's share of 
surplus revenue was received from government, and funded. 

1838. The expenses of the town for the year ending March 4, 
exclusive of highway tax, are $7965,80. By the auditors' report 
on treasurer's accounts, it appears that the town is free from debt, 
and is possessed of the following articles of property, viz : " nine 
guns, with cartridge boxes and bayonet belts, 22 knapsacks, 14 
dictionaries, 25 testaments, 30 small grammars, 8 spelling books. 
1 atlas, 1 set money scales and weights, 1 pair bullet moulds." 
November 18, the second centennial anniversary of the gathering 
of the first church in Dedham. A history of said church was 
delivered on the occasion, by Rev. Dr. Lamson, its pastor, which 
history was subsequently published, by vote of the society. At 
the April meeting, the limits of the several School Districts in 
the town were defined, and entered upon the records, 

7 



oil CHRONOLOGICAL HISTORY. 

1839. March 4, the road, sometimes called Common-street, 
leading from Dwight's bridge westwardly past the great common, 
on the south side, to the Dover road, by vote of the town is here- 
after to be designated " High-street," the name originally given 
to it by the first settlers. April 1, the selectmen were author- 
ized to appoint some suitable person to examine the ancient Rec- 
ords of the town, " and transcribe therefrom into a separate book, 
every vote and order found therein, that may now or hereafter 
operate to afTect the Rights and Interest either of the town or in- 
dividuals ;" and they were also "to provide that the said Ancient 
Records shall be rebound in a fit, decent and convenient manner." 
James Richardson, Esq. was employed, and the work was ac- 
complished. 

1840. April 6, a Pound is established in the South parish, 

1841. August 9, rules and regulations for the government of 
the Alms-house are established. Vine Rock bridge, over Charles 
river, rebuilt of granite, with five arches ; Shubael Bills, builder ; 
cost, $3000. This bridge was built with a portion of the town's 
share of the surplus revenue received from government in 1837. 

1843. A stone bridge is built over Charles river, near Powder 
House rock, at or near the spot called the Key by the first settlers. 
The bridge has four arches, and was built by Messrs, Greenwood 
and Fuller; cost $2181. A portion of the government surplus 
revenue is invested in this bridge. The valuation and tax book 
for the current year, as made out by the assessors, was print- 
ed for the use of the town. It contained the names of all res- 
idents and non-residents liable to pay taxes to the town, with the 
amount and kind of property for which they were assessed. 

1845. April 7, voted, that the owners of dogs running at 
large in the town, pay two dollars into the town treasury, for a 
license for each dog ; the treasurer is authorized to give a license 
to such owner, on receipt of the money. This act having been 
approved by the Court of Common Pleas, is established as a 
By-law of the town. The sum to be paid for a license was sub- 
sequently reduced by the town to one dollar. The number of 
Polls taxed this year is 954. 



CHRONOLOGICAL HISTORY. 51 

1846, January 15, the new Episcopal church is consecrated ; 
it is located on Court-street, and, with the furniture, cost about 
$7000. A neat and substantial iron fence, from the foundry of 
Benjamin H. Tubbs of West Dedham, is substituted for the 
wooden one around the court house square ; cost of fence about 
$1500. April 6, leave was granted by the town to Abiathar 
Richards, to build and occupy an ice house at the Landing-place 
on Charles river, near the house of John Bullard. The select- 
men were instructed to prosecute all violations of the license law 
for regulating the sale of spiritous liquors, that may come to their 
knowledge. Two or three complaints only were made under 
these instructions. Voted, that the warrants for notifying Town 
meetings be published in the several newspapers printed in the 
town, provided the same be done without expense to the town. 
In December, a Post-office is established at South Dedham. 
The number of Dog licenses issued this year is ninety-six. 

1847. March 24, the body of a man was found drowned in 
Charles river, near Metcalf's landing, supposed to have lain in 
the water several months, name unknown. April 5, the annual 
grant for support of schools was raised to five thousand dollars. 
The School money to be apportioned in the several districts as 
follows : — one hundred dollars of the grant to each district; the 
remainder to be divided in the districts, one half by the amount 
of taxes paid in each, and one half by the number of scholars. 
Twelve hundred dollars were granted for purchase of land and 
erection of engine houses, one in the upper village in the first 
parish, and one in the south parish. 



EXTRACTS FROM THE RECORDS. 



COVENANT OF THE FIRST SETTLERS. 

1st. We whose names are hereunto subscribed do in the fear 
and reverence of our Almighty God mutually and generally prom- 
ise amongst ourselves and each to other, to profess and practice 
one truth according to that most perfect rule the foundation there- 
of is everlasting life. 

2d. That we shall by all means labor to keep off from us all 
such as are contrary minded ; and receive only such unto us as 
may probably be of one heart with us, as that we either know or 
may be well and truly informed to walk in a peaceable conversa- 
tion with all meekness of spirit to the edification of each other in 
the knowledge and faith of the Lord Jesus ; and to the mutual 
encouragement unto all temporal comforts in all things seeking 
the good of each other out of all which may be derived from 
peace. 

3d. That if at any time difference shall arise between parties 
of our said Town, that then such party or parties shall presently 
refer all such difference unto some one, two or three others of our 
said society to be fully accorded and determined without any 
further delay, if it possibly may be. 

4lh. That every man that now, or at any time hereafter shall 
have lots in our said Town shall pay his share in all such rates 
of money and charges as shall be imposed upon him rateably in 
proportion with other men : as also become freely subservient to 
all such laws and constitutions as shall be necessarily had or 
made now or at any time hereafter from this day forward, as 
well for loving and comfortable society in our said Town, as also 



EXTRACTS FROM THE RECORDS. 53 

for the prosperous and thriving condition of our said fellowship ; 
especially respecting the fear of God in which we desire to begin 
and continue, whatsoever we shall by his loving favor take in 
hand. 

5lh. And for the better manifestation of our true resolution 
herein, every man so received to subscribe hereunto his name, 
thereby obliging both himself and his successors after him for- 
ever as we have done. 

[Note. There are one hundred and twenty-four names appended to 
this Covenant in the Records. There are no dates attached to the 
names ; the signatures of the greater portion of them do not appear to be 
in the hand writing of the several persons, and are probably copied from 
the original.] 



THE PETITION FOR INCORPORATION. 

1. May it please this Honored Court to ratify to your humble 
petitioners your grant formerly made of a plantation above the 
falls, that we may possess all that land, which is left out of all 
former grants upon that side of Charles River, and upon the other 
side five miles square. To have and enjoy all those lands, mead- 
ows, woods and other grounds, together with all the waters and 
other benefits whatsoever now being or that may be within the 
compass of the aforesaid limits, to us with our associates and our 
assigns forever. 

2. To be freed from all country charges for four years, and 
military exercises to be only in our own Town, except some ex- 
traordinary occasion require it. 

3. That such distribution or allotment of lands, meadows, 
woods, &c. within our said limits as are done and performed by 
the grantees, their successors, or such as shall be deputed there- 
unto, shall and may stand for good assurance unto the several 
possessors thereof and their assigns forever. 

4. That we may have countenance from this Honorable Court 
for the well ordering of the manage of our society according to 
the best rules ; and to that purpose to assign unto us a Constable 
thai may regard peace and truth. 



54 EXTRACTS FROM THE RECORDS. 

5. To distinguish our town by the name of Contentment, or 
otherwise what you shall please. 

6. And lastly, we intreat such other helps as your wisdom 
shall know best in favor to grant unto us, for our well improving 
of what we are thus intrusted with, all unto our particular but 
especially unto the general good of this whole locate public in 
succeeding times. 

Subscribed by all that have underwritten in Covenant at pres- 
ent. 

Edward Alleyn, Nicholas Phillips, 

Abraham Shavir, John Gay, 

Samuel Morse, Thomas Bartlett, 

Philemon Dalton, Francis Austin, 

Ezekiel Hollaman, Johti Rogers, 

John Kingsbury, Joseph Shaw, 

John Coolidge, William Bearstowe, 

Richard Everett, John Dwight, 

John Hayward, Robert Feke, 

Lambert Genere, Thomas Hastings, 

Ralph Shepard, John Huggin. 

[Note. These names are not attached to the copy of the Petition 
found at the commencement of the first volume of the records, but are 
entered on a subsequent page as being the persons (except the three last 
named) who assembled on "the 6th of the 7th month, called September, 
1636," and on that day subscribed their names to the above; "the copy 
of which petition, (says the record,) is in the beginning of this Booke, 
as also the Court order upon the same." It is also stated in the record 
of same date, that after the meeting was dissolved, " Mr, Robert Feke 
came and subscribed his name unto the said petition ; and Thomas Has- 
tings and John Huggin did the like at Boston ; so that all the names of 
those which are admitted unto our Society are subscribed thereunto." 
Another copy of this petition is entered upon page 384 of the 6th volume 
of town records, but for what purpose does not appear. It is deemed 
proper to remark here, that the name of Richard Everett is spelt in 
different ways in the records, as "Evred," "Everard," and "Evrit ;" it 
is here printed as it is now generally written by his descendants, among 
whom is Edward Everett, President of Harvard University, and late 
Governor of Massachusetts J 



EXTRACTS FROM THE RECOKDS. 55 

GRANT OF THE GENERAL COURT. 

" The tenth of the seventh month, 1636, the above Petition 
was published in a full General Court, and granted as followeth, 
Viz : 

1. That the plantation shall have three years immunity from 
public charges. 

2. That the tovvn shall bear the name of Dedham. 

3. All the rest of the petition fully granted by a general vote 
freely and cheerfully without any exception at all. Whereupon 
this short order was drawn up and recorded by the Secretary, 
Mr. Bradstreet. 

Ordered, that the plantation to be settled above Charles Eiver 
shall have three years immunity from public charges as Concord 
had, to be accounted from the first of May next, and the name of 
the said plantation is to be Dedham. 

To enjoy all that land on the Easterly and Southerly side of 
Charles River not formerly granted unto any Town or particular 
person, and also to have five miles square on the other side of the 
River. 

This draught or tract of our plantation being presented unto 
the Court General after publishing our petition, it pleased the said 
Court by a full consent to grant our said Town of Dedham to ex- 
tend every way according to the same form therein delineated, 
without any contraction at all made of or concerning the same, 
being viewed by the whole Court." 



DOMESTIC MANUFACTURE S— U SE OF FOREIGN 
TEA FORBIDDEN. 

March 5, 1770. " On a motion made and seconded, the Town 
taking into serious consideration the great distress to which the 
People are reduced, by means of the oppressive Revenue Acts, 
and the Tr-oops sent to enforce obedience to the same, and being 
desirous of contributing all in their power to restore and preserve 
their Liberties, according to the Laudable Example of many other 
Towns in the Province, and being deeply sensible that the Patri- 
otic Resolutions of the Merchants and Traders not to import 



•'56 EXTRACTS FROM THE RECORDS. 

goods and merchandize from Great Britain — ought to be seconded 
by such as have usually been purchasers of such Goods and Mer- 
chandize, 

Came to the following Votes : 

Voted, nem. con. That the Town will do their utmost to en- 
courage the Produce and Manufacture of all such articles as 
have formerly been imported from Great Britain. 

Voted, nem. con. That we will not directly or indirectly have 
any commerce or dealings with those few Traders, lists of whom 
are posted up among us, who have had so little regard to the good 
of their country as to oppose and counteract the noble exertions of 
the Body of Merchants and Traders of the Province, and of the 
whole Continent. 

Voted, nem. con. That as the Duty on Tea furnishes so large 
a sum towards the maintainance and support of an almost innu- 
merable multitude who live upon the fruits of the honest Industry 
of the Inhabitants, from the odious Commissioners of the Cus- 
toms down to the Dirty Informers that are employed by them, 
therefore we will not make use of any foreign Tea, nor allow the 
consumption of it in our respective families, till such time as, the 
duty being first taken off, this town shall by some future Vote 
grant an Indulgence to such persons to drink Tea as have not 
Virtue enough to leave off the Use of it forever. 

Voted, that Messrs. Samuel Damon, Richard Woodward, Geo. 
Talbot, Eliphalet Baker and Dea. Ralph Day, be a Committee of 
Observation, to see that the foregoing Votes be complied with." 



REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE THAT HIRED 
SOLDIERS IN 1780. 

March Meeting, 1780— 

The Committee chosen to hire men to go into the public ser- 
vice the last year for the Town, report their account in the fol- 
lowing manner, which is accepted and allowed by the Town, viz : 
"Hired fifteen men to do duty in the Continental army 

for nine months, at 400^. ....... £6750,00 

ditto to seven men to do duty at Rhode Island . . 882,00 



KXTRACTS FnOM THE KECORn?. 



.57 



Hired ihreo men to do duty at Rhode Island .... 108,00 

ditto to 5 men to do duty at Boston at 271 1-35,00 

ditto to 11 men to do duty at Castle Island at IS^. . . 180,00 

ditto to 7 men to do duty at Boston at ISl 126,00 

ditto to eighteen men to do duty in the Continental 

army at 246/ 4428,00 

£12609,00 

Voted, to assess the Polls and Estates in the Town the sum of 

Twelve thousand pounds to defray the charges of the Town for 

the hire of soldiers into the public service the last and present 

year." 



COMPENSATION FOR HORSES, IN 1780. 

October 12, 1780, — being the first Town Meeting under the 
new Constitution. ".Then took into consideration the granting of 
money to sundry persons who sold their horses to the selectmen 
for the use of the army, agreeable to an order of Court. 

Granted to Mr. Ebenezer Shepard for his horse, 

" to Ebenezer Battle, Esq. for 

" to Dea. Isaac Bullard for 

" Mr. Thomas Ockinton for 

*' Mr. Samuel Damon for 

" Mr. Joseph Swan for 

" Mr. Nathan Ellis for 

" Mr. John Ellis for 

" Mr. Oliver Morse for 

" Mr. Ebenezer Newell for 
Granted Eight thousand pounds to pay for ihe Horses pur- 
chased for the use of the army, to be assessed on the polls and 
estates within the Town." 









£. s. 


IS horse, . . 


772 10 


ditto . 






350 00 


ditto . 






900 00 


ditto . 






600 00 


ditto . 






1200 00 


ditto . 






450 00 


ditto . 






900 00 


ditto . 






900 00 


ditto 






909 00 


ditto 






900 00 



SUPPLIES FOR THE CONTINENTAL ARMY. 

The following Items from the Records will serve to show the 
manner in which Supplies were collected for the Army in 1781-2, 

8 



•^S EXTUACTS FROM THE RRCORDS. 

and give some idea of the value of ihe Continental Currency at 
that period : 

1781. £. ,. d. 

Dec. 24, Paid Eleazer Allen for eight shirts for the army ..480 

" John Wight for five shirts for the army . . . 2 15 

" John Jones, Esq. for three stockings for the army 18 

" James Draper for a pair of stockings for the army 2 4 

" Dea. Joseph Haven for 2 pr. stockings for do. 12 

" Joseph Draper for a pair of stockings for do. 6 9 
" John Battle for four pair stockings and one dollar 

in cash for the use of the army 2 8 

" Israel Fairbanks for a shirt for the army . . 11 
" Jeremiah Bacon for cash to purchase blankets 3 14 

1782. 

January 2 " Dea. Ichabod Gay for 12 1-2 days hiring soldiers 1 17 6 
" Stephen Whiting in part lor shoes for the army 6 
" Capt. David Fales for a pair of stockings for do. 6 
" widow Desire Eaton for 2 pair stockings do. 12 
" Thomas Eaton for a pair of stockings do. 6 
" Dr. Ebenezer Richards, a pair of stockings do. 6 
" John Baker for two shirts do. 12 
" William Richards for one pair stockings do. 6 
" William Smith for one shirt do. 11 
22 " Joseph Wight for two pair stockings do, 12 
" Daniel Fisher for three pair stockings do. 18 
" Moses Mason for eight shirts do. 4 4 
Feb. 18 " Abiathar Richards for purchasing horses and bri- 
dles and shoeing horses for Continental service 15 
" Capt. Daniel Fisher for time and expenses pur- 
chasing beef for the use of the army ... 5 2 
" Timothy Allen for a pair of stockings do. 6 
25 " John Hawes for sixteen pairs shoes do, 8 
" Ebenezer Smith for sixteen pairs shoes do, 8 
" Ebenezer Fisher 6 pair stockings & 5 shirts do. 4 6 
" Mrs. Elizabeth Gay for a pair of stockings do, 6 
" Joseph Dean for two shirts do. 10 
" Benjamin Herring for three pair stockings do. 18 
" Mary Gay for one pair stockings do. 6 
" Stephen Whiting for shirts and stockings do. 4 6 
" Col. Ebenezer Battle for 5 pair stockings do, 1 10 
" widow Anna Fairbanks for 2 pair stockings do. 12 
" Ebenezer Gay 2 pair stockings and 1 blanket do. 1 10 
" Henry Jones for sixteen pair shoes do, 8 
" Dea. William Avery for 8 blankets 8 shirts and 6 

pair stockings for the army 13 

" Capt. Ebenezer Battle 16 pair shoes for the army 8 
" Maj. George Gould for 4 shirts, 8 blankets, 13 pr. 

stockings, and procuring clothing for army 14 13 7 
" Ebenezer Newell for 4 blankets, and trouble in 

procuring clothing for the army .... 6 19 
" Nathaniel Sumner, Esq. 7 blankets, 16 shirts, 16 

pair stockings & Courts allowance for trouble 20 13 7 
•' Israel Everett 1!) 1-2 days service and expenses 

in hiring soldiers 310 

" Ichabod Gav 9 sliirts and 7 blankets for army 10 16 



EXTRACTS FROM THE RECORDS. 59 

INSTRUCTIONS TO REPRESENTATIVE. 

Among the Instructions of the Town to their representative in 
the General Court, in May, 17S6, are the following : 
The Order of Lawyers. 

" We are not inattentive to the almost universally prevailing 
complaints against the practice of the order of lawyers ; and 
many of us too sensibly feel the effects of their unreasonable and 
extravagant exactions ; we think their practices pernicious, and 
their mode unconstitutional. You will therefore endeavor, that 
such regulations be introduced into our Courts of Law and that 
such restraints be laid on the order of lawyers, as that we may 
have recourse to the Laws and find our security and not our ruin 
in them. If upon a fair discussion and mature deliberation, such 
a measure should appear impracticable, you are to endeavor that 
the order of Lawyers be totally abolished ; an alternative prefer- 
able to their continuing in their present mode." 
Separation from Suffolk. 

Among the reasons for a division of the county and separation 
from Boston, then contemplated, their Representative was di- 
rected to urge — 

"4th, Should Courts of Justice be erected in some country 
town within the county, we expect (at least for a while) that the 
wheels of law and justice would move on without the clogs and 
embarrassments of a numerous train of lawyers. The scenes of 
gaiety and amusements which are now prevalent at Boston we 
expect would so allure them, as that we should be rid of their 
perplexing ofliciousness." 

Economy in the Government. 
"While we cheerfully promise a compliance with the requisi- 
tions of Congress, that they may punctually discharge those 
debts in which our national faith and honor are engaged ; and 
shall freely contribute our proportion towards the support of ne- 
cessary government ; we recommend to scrupulous investigation 
our public expenditures ; to see that our monies are uniformly ap- 
plied to the uses for which they are ostensibly appropriated. And 
that we maybe better enabled to furnish our monies for the above 
purpose, we desire you would endeavor lo reduce our public Tax- 



60 KXTRACTS I-'ROM THE RECORDS. 

es in the following ways, 1st, by reducing the wages and salaries 
of publick officers, and 2dly, by lopping off unnecessary branches 
in some department of Government. We shall be protected by 
the example of sister States from any imputation of parsimony 
or undue frugality in reducing the Pay of publick ofHcers. And 
we are of opinion, that sums far less than are annually expended 
for Government would be adequate to all reasonable expenses of 
its officers ; and enable them to maintain all that decent grandeur 
that becomes an Infant Eepublick greatly overborne with taxes. 
Such a measure we apprehend would have this still further and 
more salutary effect by inducing many respected and leading 
characters to introduce economy whose example would have a 
powerful influence on those who are passionately fond of fash- 
ions, and will ape the manners of the great at the expense not 
only of the conveniences but even of the necessaries of life." 
Encouragement of Domestic Manufactures. 

"Finally, you are to endeavor that such Laws be enacted as 
may tend to the encouragement of raising and manufacturing the 
natural productions of this country, and you are to lay such re- 
strictions as may prohibit the importation and use of foreign lux- 
uries, which have hitherto greatly impoverished, and if not reme- 
died, will involve our country in bankruptcy." 

The Instructions from which the above extracts are taken were 
signed, "JONATHAN METCALF, Moderator. 

ISAAC BULLARD, Toion Clerk:' 

[Note. At tlie date of the above Instructions, 1786, it will be re- 
membered that Norfolk had not been separated from Suffolk county. — 
No courts liaving at that time been established here, the law business 
was chiefly conducted in the metropolis. Whatever grounds of com- 
plaint might then have existed against the order of lawyers, as a class, 
they cannot, it is believed, with truth be applicable to those who have 
made Dedham their place of business since it became the shire town, in 
17'J3; certainly not to the few gentlemen of tliat profession who are 
now residents here. 

Mr. Worthington, himself a lawyer, in his history of Dedham, (page 
8;?) asserts that a universal antipathy prevailed in the country towns 
generally from 1781 to 1826, against the members of the legal fraternity; 
and tiint, from a combination of circumstances, the county of Norfolk 
during lliat period was particularly unfavorable to the profession of law. 
However true tliis statement miglit have been, it is certain that the prej- 
udice whicli ajijjcars to liave existed Ikm-o to some extent in former days, 
has long since given ])lace to a more liberal feeling, and the utmost har- 
Jiionv now prevails ] 



PART IL 



STATISTICAL HISTOEV 



DEDHAM AS IT IS. 

The township of Dedham contains by estimation 20,82S acres, 
including ponds, roads, and waste grounds of every sort. The 
number of inhabitants at the present time may be fairly estimated 
at thirty-six hundred, and are to the territory in the proportion 
of about one hundred and six to a square mile. A large portion 
of the inhabitants are engaged in agricultural pursuits. 

The town is divided into three parishes, which are again sub- 
divided into eleven school districts, with a school house in each. 
The names of the several School Districts, as established in 1S3S, 
are as follows : 

No. 1. First Middle District. No. 6. North District, South Parish. 

" 2. Second Middle " " 7. South " " " 

" 3. Mill " " 8. North District, West Parish. 

" 4. Low Plain " " 9, East " " " 

" 5. East Street " " 10. Walpole Corner " " 

No. 11. Westfield District. 

Boundaries. Charles river on the north separates Dedham from 
Needham ; Roxbury and Dorchester make its northeast and east- 
ern boundary; Neponset river divides it from Milton and Canton 
on the southeast; Sharon and Walpole adjoin on the south; 
Medfield and Dover on the west. 

A Branch Railroad, built in 1833, connecting Dedham Village 
with Boston, passes near some of the principal manufactories. 
The cars pass over it each way four times a day, occupying about 



62 DEDHAM AS IT IS. 

ihirty-five minutes each trip. Its length is about two miles and 
a quarter, and unites with the Boston and Providence railroad at 
Low Plain. A charter was granted by the legislature in 1846, 
for an extension of the Dedham branch railroad to Walpole ; ac- 
tive measures are now being taken for its completion. It is con- 
templated to continue this railroad through to Woonsocket in 
Rhode Island, and measures are now being adopted to effect this 
object. 

Taxes. The amount of town and county taxes, (including 
highway tax,) assessed upon the inhabitants in 1846, was $12,045. 
By a standing vole of the town, all persons who promptly pay 
their taxes previous to the 20th day of November, each year, are 
allowed a deduction of six per cent. This secures a full treasu- 
ry, and the financial credit of the town stands high. 

A partial supply of water is brought into the village, through 
aqueducts laid under ground, from a spring on Federal Hill a 
distance of about one mile. Two reservoirs are kept filled with 
water from this source, besides furnishing the inhabitants who 
choose to purchase from the company who own it. 

Dedham contains nine churches for public worship, embracing 
nearly as many different religious denominations. There are 
also two printing-offices, from one of which is issued a weekly 
newspaper. In the professions, are eight officiating clergymen, 
six practising physicians, and five lawyers. 

Post Offices. A Post Office is established in each of the three 
parishes. Jeremiah Shuttleworth, Esq. the former postmaster of 
Dedham, was appointed in 1793, during the administration of 
Washington, and held the office during each succeding adminis- 
tration until February, 1833, when he resigned, being probably 
at that time the oldest postmaster in the United States. Dr. Eli- 
sha Thayer is the present postmaster at this place ; Col. Theo- 
dore Gay, at West Dedham ; Moses Guild, Esq. at South Ded- 
ham. 

There is no organized militia in the town at the present time. 
The number of men enrolled and liable to a draft, if called for, 
in 1845, according to the assessors' return as required by law, 



DEDHAM AS IT IS. 63 

was five hundred and one ; in 1846, the number was three hun- 
dred and forty. Previous to the abolishment of militia training? 
in 1840, Dedham mustered three standing companies of infantry, 
one uniform volunteer company of infantry, and (with neigh- 
boring towns) a company of cavalry. 

During the revolutionary war, Dedham furnished one hundred 
and six men for the regular Continental army, and a very consid- 
erable number performed tours of military service, for longer or 
shorter periods, in this vicinity or on the frontiers of Rhode Isl- 
and, — a small remnant of whom still survive. The annual ex- 
penditures of the town during the war for Independence, is esti- 
mated at eight thousand dollars in our present currency, which is 
about equal to a tax of eighty thousand dollars at the present 
time. 

The old town cannon alluded to in these pages, being the "great 
gun" of King Philip's day, and which was "ordered to be swung" 
in the revolutionary war, was bursted in fragments in firing a sa- 
lute on the fourth of March, 1845. 

The Ancient Records of the town are blended together with the 
"Proprietor's Records," and, including the modern, are contained 
in twelve large folio volumes. Some of the oldest volumes being 
somewhat decayed, the town in order to preserve them from being 
entirely lost, in 1839 employed the Hon. James Richardson to 
revise and transcribe the most important parts, relative to the 
rights and transfer of property, into a separate book. The records 
are deposited with the selectmen and carefully preserved. 

The method adopted by the first settlers of the town for notify- 
ing town meetings, by posting up the warrant in the porch of 
the meeting house, that it might be read on the sabbath, is still 
continued. The fine of two shillings and sixpence formerly im- 
posed for neglect in attending town meeting, has long since been 
abolished. In April, 1846, a vote was passed by the town, au- 
thorizing the selectmen to cause the warrants for town meetings 
to be published in the newspapers printed in the town, provided 
it be done without expense to the town. 



64 DEDHAM AS IT IS. 

Natural Divisions of Land. 

Acres Woodland. Meadow. Pasture. Mowinor & Tillage. 

First Parish, . . 4344 1165 1816 1374 

Second Parish, . 1127 656 1826 823 

Third Parish, . . 1959 545 1244 692 



Total, 7430 2366 4886 2896 

Domestic Animals in May, 1844. 

Horses. Cows. Oxen. Swine. 

First Parish, ... 190 423 88 192 

Second Parish, . . 70 296 64 93 

Third Parish, ... 118 260 29 82 



Total, 387 979 181 367 

[n May, 1845, the number of Horses in the Town was 398, 
valued at $19,081. Of Neat Cattle, 1264, value $24,493. Of 
Swine, 473, value $7095. Sheep 9, value $20. 

Assessed Value of Real and Personal Estates, in May, 1845. 

First Parish, $1,393,690 

Second Parish, 337,596 

Third Parish 388,462 

Total, $2,119,748 

Value of Real and Personal Estates, in May, 1846, as ascer- 
tained by the Assessors, under a new Valuation, ordered by the 
Town to be taken at their annual meeting in March. 

First Parish $1,501,658 

Second Parish, 330,347 

Third Parish 385,960 

Total, $2,217,965 

A custom has prevailed in the first parish, since 1822, of form- 
ing a social company from year to year, for target practice, with 
rifles. Their meeting is usually held on the Friday preceding 
the day appointed by the State authorities for the annual Thanks- 
giving. 



DEDHAM AS IT IS. 65 

MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT FOR 1847—8, 
Elected March I, 1847. 
Selectmen and Overseers of Poor — John Bullard, Martin Dra- 
per, Mason Richards. 

Assessors — William Whiting, Joseph Day, Nathaniel Smith 
Merrill D. Ellis, John Eaton. 
Town Clerk — Jonathan H. Cobb. 
Treasurer and Collector — Austin Bryant. 

School Comynittee — Alvan Lamson, Samuel B. Babcock, Cal- 
vin Durfee, J. W. Parkhurst, Jonathan H. Cobb. 

Constables — Sanford Carroll, Dexter Baker, Addison Boyden. 
Fircwards. 

Reuben S. Wilson, Joseph Day, 

Oliver Capen, Eliphalet Stone, 

William Whiting, John Morse, 

Colburn Ellis, Benjamin F. Keyes, 

Timothy Smith, Nathaniel Colburn. 



The Dedham Bank was established in 1S14, and has a capital 
of $150,000. Jeremy Stimson, President ; Lewis H. Kingsbury, 
chosen Cashier in January, 1847, in place of Ebenezer Fisher, jr. 
resigned, and since deceased. 

Dedlmm Institution for Savings, incorporated March 15, 1831. 
It has been in successful operation for sixteen years, and has now 
a capital of $275,000. The number of depositors in April, 1847, 
was about fourteen hundred and forty. The annual meeting is 
held on the first Wednesday in May. Rev. Ebenezer Burgess, 
President ; Rev. Alvan Lamson, Hon. John Endicott, Vice-Presi- 
dents. The Trustees are Martin Marsh, Rev. John White, Rev. 
Samuel B. Babcock, Thomas Barrows, James Richardson, Ezra 
W. Taft, Ira Cleveland, Ezra W. Sampson, The Committee of 
Investment are Enos Foord, Joseph Guild, John Bullard, Ezra 
Wilkinson. Secretary and Treasurer, George Ellis, 2d. 

There are two Insurance offices. The Norfolk Mutual Fire 
Insurance Company insure buildings for seven years. This com- 
9 



66 DEDIIAM AS IT IS. 

pany has been in operation twenty-two years, and the cash funds 
have accumulated so as to enable the company at this lime to pay 
a loss of upwards of fifty-four thousand dollars without making 
any assessment. The number of policies at risk, April 6, 1847, 
was 5369; amount insured, $6,060,176. The annual meeting of 
this company is held on the first Tuesday in April. The present 
officers are James Richardson, President: Ira Cleveland, Secre- 
tary ; Martin Marsh, Treasurer. 

The Dedham Mutual Fire Insurance Company was incorpora- 
ted in 1837, for insuring buildings and personal property. Their 
policies run for one year. The annual meeting is held on the 
first Wednesday in July. James Richardson, President, Ira 
Cleveland, Secretary. 

A handsome brick edifice has just been erected near the court 
house, for the accommodation of the Insurance offices, the Sav- 
ings Institution, Dedham Bank, and other offices. A portion of 
the basement story of this building is improved by Messrs. Pierce 
and Dresser, for a market house. 

An organized Society exists in the town, provided with ample 
funds for the prompt pursuit and apprehension of horse thieves, 
and the recovery of stolen horses. Its annual meeting is held on 
the first Monday in January. 

Another organized Society exists in the first parish, called the 
Dedham Thief Detecting Society. Its object is the protection of 
its members from thieves and pilferers, and is provided with am- 
ple means for the pursuit and detection of offenders, and recovery 
of stolen property. 

The Quinobequin Lodge of Odd Fellows, have a large and 
commodious hall in the village, on Centre-street, where they 
hold their regular meetings. They number at this time about 
one hundred members. 

The last of the Aborigines in Dedham, were Alexander Qua- 
bish, and Sarah, his wife. Sarah died in 1774, at the house of 
Mr. Joseph Wight, on or near Ragged plain, and was buried 
in the old Indian burial-place, half a mile from Mr. Wight's 



DEDHAM AS IT IS. 67 

house, al the fool of Wigwam hill — being the last person there 
deposited. Alexander died at Natick, or Needham, in 1776. 

Various Indian relics have from time to time been dug up from 
the sand banks in the southerly part of Dedham village, about 
one fourth of a mile northwest from Wigwam pond. A stone 
pestle, used by the aborigines for grinding maize, excavated in 
1836, is now in possession of H. Mann, preserved in its original 
shape. Other Indian tools and ornaments, such as chisels, axes, 
beads, &c. all of stone, found embedded on lands of deacon Martin 
Marsh, remain in his possession. 

Corn Mills. Mr. James Farrington, on Dedham Island, has 
in his possession one of the hand Corn Mills, brought over from 
the old country by the first settlers, and used for grinding corn 
before the establishment of water mills here. It is kept in a good 
state of preservation, and is still capable of performing service. 
Another of these hand mills is preserved in the family of Mr. Jo- 
seph Onion. 

Ortiamental Trees in the First Parish. 

The Elms on each side of Court-street near the head of School 
street, were transplanted in 1790. 

Elms in the Upper Village, on the road leading from the pond 
to the Needham road — in 1805. 

The row of beautiful Elms on the west side of Eastern Ave- 
nue, below the Phcenix House to the terminus of the Mechanics' 
buildings — in 1832. 

Elms on Chesnut Avenue, from High-street to Village Avenue 
—in 1836. 

Elms on the north side of the road in Mill Village, by the 
Stone Factory — in 1838. 

Elms on west side of Bow-street, to the bend from High-street, 
in 1841 — from thence, southwesterly, in 1846. 

American and English Elms on the Great Common — in 1842. 

Forest trees on the north side of East-street — on the west side 
of Mill Lane — in Mount Vernon-street — and in Park and Auburn 
streets, running from East-street to Mt. Vernon-street — in 1S46. 

Elms on the west side of the street leading from High-street 
to the Cemetery — Elms side of the Episcopal church — and on the 
west end of Village Avenue — in 1846. 



68 DEDHAM AS IT IS, 

Toivn Expenses, for the year ending March 1, 1847, as made out 
by the Selectmen. 

For Poor in the Poor House, $698 31 

" Poor out of the Poor House, .... 22653 

" Patients in State Lunatic Hospital, . . 264 14 

» Roads and Bridges, 327 31 

" Repair of Highways, 1995 59 

" Abatement of Taxes, , 243 16 

" Discount on Taxes, 621 22 

" Support of Schools, . , 3892 63 

" Removing Snow, 575 37 

" Fire Department, 985 24 

" Incidental expenses, ....... 97 23 

" Town Officers, 852 09 

" County Tax, 765 24 

$11,544 06 

Large quantities of excellent Peat are yearly cut from the 
meadows bordering on Charles river, and used for fuel. These 
peat meadows cover an extent of several hundred acres north and 
east of the village, and around Dedham Island. The Fowl mead- 
ows, adjoining Neponset river, also furnish an abundance of this 
article. 

The Public Schools are in a flourishing condition. In the 
annual report presented to the town, April 6, 1846, the School 
Committee remark — " Dedham is not wanting in liberality in the 
grant of money for the support of schools. In the comparative 
amount granted for the education of each child between the ages 
of four and sixteen, it stood in 1843-4, the eighth in the list of 
towns in the Commonwealth, and in 1844-5, the ninth. It prob- 
ably occupies nearly the same position now." In May, 1846, 
Dedham stood number twelve among the three hundred and nine 
towns of Massachusetts. This apparent falling back in the list of 
towns, for a year or two past, is not caused by any deficiency or 
retrograde movement in our own schools, for they are continually 
improving, but is owing to the laudable competition of other 
towns to excel in the advancement of knowledge. A spirit is 
apparent among the citizens at this time, from which it is fair to 



DEDHAM AS IT IS. 69 

infer that Dedham will not be long in regaining at least her 
former position in the list of towns, as regards its schools, it 
having this year raised the grant from 3750 to 5000 dollars. The 
Prudential committees contract with the teachers. The whole 
number of school children in the town, according to the last re- 
turns, is S22. They are enumerated in the several Districts, as 
follows : 



Districts. 


Scholars. 


Districts. 


Scholars. 


Districts. 


Scholars. 


No. 1. 


218 


No. 5. 


42 


No. 9. 


53 


" 2. 


87 


" 6. 


99 


" 10. 


24 


" 3. 


110 


" 7. 


28 


" 11. 


15 


" 4. 


45 


'• 8. 


101 







The Sundmj Schools, connected with the different religious so- 
cieties in the town, are under the general superintendence of 
the several clergymen. The teachers perform their labors gratu- 
itously, and the schools are usually well attended. 

The Ladies^ Seiving Circles, in the different parishes, are among 
the most prominent and active societies for the relief of suffering 
humanity. Social meetings are frequently held, at stated peri- 
ods, where each member contributes according to her ability to 
swell the funds devoted to charitable objects. Ever ready and 
prompt to assist those of our species upon whom the hand of 
misfortune presses heavily, the agents of these benevolent socie- 
ties require no second call upon them for aid ; while the silent 
prayer ascends from many a grateful heart, whose urgent wants 
are anticipated and relieved. The public and sabbath schools 
also receive a new impetus from the lively interest exhibited by 
the ladies of Dedham in their prosperity ; and it is to their influ- 
ence and active exertions, that the town is greatly indebted for 
the recent improvements in the several cemeteries. These im- 
provements have served to dispel much of the gloom that formerly 
overshadowed them, and contributed to render a visit to these 
" cities of the dead" attractive rather than repulsive, to those of a 
contemplative mind, whose friends and relatives are there repos- 
ing. 

Cemetery in the First Parish. 

A portion of the grounds appropriated for a Burial Place in the 
first parish, was taken from the south end of the home lots orig- 



70 DEDHAM AS IT IS. 

inally assigned to Nicholas Phillips and Joseph Kingsbury, and 
set apart, in 1638, " for the use of a public burial place for the 
town forever." A way leading from High-street by the meeting 
house to the burial place was established in 1664, on the west 
side of the church lot, one rod broad, and to be kept in repair at 
the public charge. 

In the winter of 1839-40, eleven hundred and twenty-five dol- 
lars were raised in the first parish, for improvements in their bu- 
rial ground — as follows : 

Ladies, by subscription and Fair, . . . $575 

Gentlemen, by subscription, 450 

Ladies' Charitable Society, 50 

Private donations, 50 

At a meeting of the citizens, a committee of three, one from 
each Society in the parish, was chosen, viz : Martin Marsh for 
Rev. Dr. Lamson's society, John Bullard for Rev. Dr. Burgess' 
society, and Ira Cleveland for the Episcopal church, to superin- 
tend the expenditure of the funds. 

The public improvements were begun in the spring of 1840, 
and since that time four or five hundred trees and shrubs of vari- 
ous kinds, comprising more than fifty varieties, have been planted, 
and are now mostly in vigorous growth ; some of which have at- 
tained considerable size. A new wall of faced stone has been 
erected in front, with two iron gates at the entrance ways, and a 
carriage way and paths have been made. Upwards of thirty 
monuments of marble, freestone and granite have been erected, 
surrounded by suitable fences, at an expense of about five thou- 
sand dollars, by various individuals, in private lots, in different 
parts of the ground. 

For the commencement and completion of these improvements 
the public are mainly indebted to Ira Cleveland, Esq. 



Cemetery in the West Parish. 
The Burial Ground in the third parish being an unseemly spot, 
in the year 1843 measures were proposed and adopted for im- 
proving its appearance. The Ladies commenced, and appropria- 
ted about seven hundred dollars, the avails of two Fairs, to the 
prosecution of the undertaking. 



DEDHAM AS IT IS. 71 

A piece of adjoining land, already covered by a natural growth 
of forest trees, given by the owners and some other friends, was 
added to the old enclosure. About four hundred dollars were 
raised by subscription among the gentlemen of the parish. The 
amount of money, not far from eleven hundred dollars, having 
been expended in erecting a handsome and substantial iron fence, 
in smoothing the surface of the earth, in setting out trees and 
shrubs in the old ground, and in forming convenient paths, the 
Cemetery has lost its forbidding aspect, wears a beautiful and 
attractive appearance, and, thus adorned, gives evidence of the 
good taste and of the enterprise of the inhabitants of the west 
parish. 



POWDER HOUSE. 

The brief history of the pile of mason work that now stands so 
conspicuously near the road, on Dedham Island, the origin and 
use of which has excited no little curiosity, is this : In May, 
1762, the town voted, " to have the powder house builded on a 
great rock in Aaron Fuller's land, near Charles river," and cap- 
lain Eliphalet Fales, Daniel Gay and Ebenezer Kingsbury were 
chosen a committee to build the house. At the meeting in May, 
1765, the above named committee not having complied with the 
request of the town to build, two more persons were joined, viz. 
deacon Nathaniel Kingsbury and captain David Fuller, and in- 
structed to have said house erected forthwith ; — the same " to be 
eight feet square, on the outside, and six feet high under the 
plates — the materials to be brick and lime mortar." It was done, 
and for many years the building was used for the storage of am- 
munition. 



THE DAMON DONATION. 

In 1779, deacon Samuel Damon made a donation to the town 

of one thousand dollars, on. the following conditions : 1st, the 

money to be loaned out, never to be expended, but to remain a 

standing fund during time. 2d, the interest accruing therefrom, 



72 



DEDHAM AS IT IS. 



to be expended annually among such of the inhabitants as may be 
in low and indigent circumstances, but not to such as are at the 
time of distribution a charge to the town. 3d, the oldest deacon 
of the first church to be the treasurer, to loan the money, keep the 
securities, and collect the interest yearly. 4th, the Town to 
choose annually one good and faithful man in each parish to re- 
ceive from said treasurer and distribute as above, the share each 
parish is to draw, which shall be in proportion to what each par- 
ish pays towards the state or town tax. This committee is to 
furnish such poor families with a bible, if destitute of one, and to 
report to the town the manner which such interest money is dis- 
posed of. The conditions, of which the above are the substance, 
are entered in full upon the town records, and the interest has 
continued to be distributed to this time, according to the wish of 
the donor. 



Number of Dwelling Houses and Polls. 

In May, 1845. In May, 1846. 



Dwelling Houses. Polls. 



First Parish, 
Second Parish, 
Third Parish, 

Total, 



327 
113 
124 

564 



591 
171 
192 

954 



Dwelling Houses. Polls. 

342 635 

113 169 

127 199 



582 



1003 



Progress of Population. 

In 1765 the number of inhabitants was 1919 

" " " " 1659 

" « " " 1973 

« " " •' 2172 

" " " " 2485 

« » <. c< 3057 

" « " « 3532 

u « .( u 3290 



In 


1790 " 


In 


1800 " 


In 


1810 « 


In 


1820 « 


In 


1830 « 


In 


1837 « 


In 


1840 " 



MANIIFACTITRES. 73 



STATISTICS OF MANUFACTURES. 

The following Statistics of certain branches of Industry, as 
they existed in the town on the first of April, 1S45, are gathered 
from the return of the Assessors, made agreeably to the direc- 
tions of the general court of March 21, 1S45. 

Nurabef of Cotton Mills, 2, with 4400 spindles. Amount of 
cotton consumed during the year ending April 1, 1S4-5, 199,700 
pounds. Yards of cotton cloth manufactured during said year, 
971,500. Gross value of the same, So6,u7o. 

One Spool Thread cotton factory, which spools -lOOO pounds 
of cotton. 

Amount of capital invested in the manufacture of cotton, sixty- 
one thousand two hundred dollars. Number of males employed 
in said business, 29, females 75. 

Woollen Mills, 3, with twelve sets of woollen machinery, con- 
suming during the year 305,000 pounds of wool. Yards of Cas- 
simere manufactured, 135,000; value, S45,000. Yards of Sati- 
net, 165,000 ; value, ^105,000. 

Amount of capital invested, $75,000. Number of male? em- 
ployed, 80 ; females, SO. 

Silk Manufactory, 1. Pounds of Sewing Silk manufactured, 
7300. Value, S47,450. Capital invested, $10,000. Males em- 
ployed 6, females 34. 

Furnace, for manufacturing Hollow Ware and Castings, 1. 
Tons of hollow ware and other castings manufactured, 175. — 
Capital invested, ^4500. Hands employed, 12. 

Manufactories of Shovels, Spades, Forks and Hoes, 2. Value 
of manufactured articles, $3S47. Hands employed 5. 

Paper Mamifactory, 1. Pounds of paper manufactured, 175,- 
000. Value, S7000. Capital invested, S5000. Hands em- 
ployed, 5. 

Chair and Cabinet Manufactories, S. Value of manufoctured 
articles, Sol, 671. Capital invested, ^15,900. Hands employed 
in the same, 5S. 

Tin Ware and Sheet Iron manufactories, 2. Value of tin 
ware manufactured, $500 ; of sheet iron, 55^2400. Capital invest- 
ed, $600. Number of hands emploj^ed, 3. 
10 



74 



MANUFACTURES. 



Establishments for the manulixcturc of Chaises, Coaches, Wag- 
gons, and other vehicles, 4. Value of articles manufactured dur- 
ing said year, $5700. Capital invested, $1400. Number of 
hands employed, 9. 

Tanneries, 2. The number of Hides tanned during said year, 
121,000. Value of Leather tanned and curried, $48,450. Cap- 
ital invested, $17,000. Hands employed 15. 

Pairs of Boots manufactured during the year, 13S0 ; of Shoes, 
37,445. Value of Boots and Shoes, $2S,2S5. Males employed, 
35, females, 24. 

Value of Saddles and Harnesses manufactured during the year 
$S25. 

Cigar manufactories, 2. Value of cigars manufactured, $5300. 
Males employed, 6, females, 4. 

Pochct Book and Rule Manufactory, 1. Value of articles man- 
ufactured, 2-3 pocket books, 1-3 rules, $13,000. Capital invest- 
ed in same, ^4000. Males employed 5, females 4. 

Establishment for Marble and Fancy Colored Papers, 1. Gross 
value of marble and fancy colored papers, $10,000 ; of enamelled 
and other business cards, $8000. Capital invested in said busi- 
ness, $7500. Males employed, 5, females, 10. 

Turning Mill, 1. Gross value of turned work, in wood $8000, 
in iron axletrees, $1200. Capital invested, $3000. Hands em- 
ployed, 9. 

Hat and Cap Mam factory , coloring connected, 1. Value of 
hats and caps manufactured, $425. Amount received for color- 
ing, $400. 

Gallons of Sperm and other Oil consumed in the manufactur- 
ing establishments, 5005. Value of other articles of American 
production, excepting cotton, wool, and iron, consumed by said 
manufacturing establishments, $7500. Value of all other articles 
of foreign production, excepting as above, consumed by same, 
$11,500. 

Bushels Indian Corn produced during said year, 4845 ; value, 
$3876. Bushels Rye, 575 ; value, ^517. Bushels Barley, 404 ; 
value, $202. Bushels Oats, 17 ; value $11. Bushels Potatoes, 
27,586; value $8552. 

Value of other Esculent Vegetables, $1392. 



DEDIIAM NEWSPAPERS. 75 

Bushels of Fruit, various kinds, 10,362 ; value, 2S53 dollars. 

Gallons of Milk produced during the year, 179,689 ; value, 
17,969 dollars. 

Pounds of Butter, 13,130; value, 2100 dollars. 

Pounds of Cheese, 3373; value 203 dollars. 

The machinery used in the manufacturing of several of the 
above branches of industry, is moved by steam power. 



DEDHAM NEWSPAPERS. 
In my endeavors to give an authentic record of Dedham News- 
papers, from their first commencement, it is deemed proper to 
state that I have not been able to procure a copy of any one print- 
ed prior to December, 1797, when Mr. H. Mann became the pub- 
lisher. In a " Minerva" bearing date December 5, 1799, is the 
following paragraph ; — "This number of the Columbian Minerva 
completes tivo years since the present editor has become proprietor 
of it." As the paper was published weekly, and the one contain- 
ing this extract was numbered 165, vol. 4, it is inferred that the 
publication was commenced fourteen months before Mr. Mann 
became the proprietor, and very probably by Nathaniel and Ben- 
jamin Heaton, of whom, as near as can be ascertained, he pur- 
chased the printing establishment. This probability is still fur- 
ther strengthened by the following obituary notice, published in a 
Minerva dated June 12, ISOO ; — " Died, at Wrentham, Mr. Ben- 
jamin Heaton, formerly one of the editors of the Minerva." 

1796. Columbia7i Minerva commenced in October. In De- 
cember, 1797, the printing establishment was purchased by Her- 
man Mann, senior, who then became the proprietor and editor of 
the paper. It was discontinued September 4, 1S04, when its ed- 
itor, in his valedictory address to the patrons of the paper, re- 
marks — " Few persons of the present day, are willing to labor, 
either with hands or head, without compensation, and, generally, 
what is called a handsome profit ;" and adds, " while I am ready, 
and do, from my heart, lament my inabilities, as an editor, to 
make it [the Minerva] of the utmost utility — I have to deplore 
the loant of encouragement to bring every latent spark of genius 
into its best exercise.'" The last remark holds true of a majority 
o{ its successors. 



76 DEDIIAM NEWSPAPERS. 

1S05. Norfolk Repository, commenced May 14, by Herman 
Mann, senior, editor and proprietor. It was issued in a quarto 
form of eight pages, and was continued to September 17, when 
the "post-rider" suddenly disappearing with a large share of the 
funds belonging to the establishment, its publication was " una- 
voidably suspended," and was not again resumed until March 25, 
1S06 ; from which time it was published in the quarto form until 
its final discontinuance in ISll. 

1813, Bedham Gazette commenced ; Jabez Chickering, pro- 
prietor ; Theron Metcalf, editor ; Abel D. Alleyne, printer. On 
the first of January, 1819, the establishment was purchased by 
H. Mann, jr. and William H. Mann, who published the paper 
six months, when it was discontinued. 

1820, Village Register^ commenced June 9; printed by H. 
Mann, jr. and brother, three months for Asa Gowen, proprietor. 
September 15, Jonathan H. Cobb became proprietor, who pub- 
lished it one year; H. & W. H. Mann, printers. Its publication 
was then continued a few months by Barnum Field. October 18, 
1822, the Messrs. Manns became the proprietors, and the paper 
was published by them until March 5, 1824, when it was printed 
by the Manns for David L. Holbrook, one year. After which, 
H. &. W. H. Mann became sole proprietors, and continued to 
publish the paper until November, 1829, when it was discon- 
tinued. 

1829. Norfolk County Republican commenced December 3d, 
and continued one year only. It was printed by H. & W. H. 
Mann, for John B. Derby, editor. 

1830. Bedham Patriot commenced December 31, by Herman 
Mann, jr. and published under the firm of H. & W. H. Mann. 
The latter soon disposing of his share in the printing-office to 
John B. Tolman, the paper was continued under the firm of 
Mann & Tolman until August 26, 1831, when it came into the 
possession of H. Mann, jr. and was published by him until De- 
cember, 1835. On the first of January, 1836, S. C. & E. Mann 
became the proprietors ; John S. Houghton editor and printer. 
In October, same year, it was called the Bedluun- Patriot and 



DEDHAM NEWSPAPERS. tt 

Canton Gazette. In July, 1837, Houghton & Ewer became pro- 
prietors. In January 1838, Smith & Ewer were the proprietors; 
J. S. Houghton still the editor. In October, 1838, S. C. & E. 
Mann again became the proprietors and publishers. In January, 
1840, the printing-office was removed to Roxbury, and the paper 
assumed the title of Dedham Patriot and Roxbury Democrat ; 
Warren B. Ewer editor and proprietor. In March, 1841, it 
was called the Patriot and Democrat. In April following, 
John S. March became the proprietor. In August, 1841, the 
printing-office was again removed to Dedham, and the old name 
oi Dedham Patriot resumed ; W. B. Ewer editor, proprietor and 
printer. In June, 1842, the title was changed to Norfolk County 
American, and in November, same year, Jonathan B. Mann be- 
came the proprietor, with J. F. Moore as joint editor. The pres- 
ent editor and proprietor, Edward L. Keyes, came into possession 
in May, 1844. In the spring of 1846, the printing establish- 
ment was once more removed to Roxbury, where its publication 
is still continued. 

1831. Independent Politician and Working Men's Advocate, 
commenced January 1, by L. Powers, proprietor and printer ; 
Joseph A. Wilder, editor. In the autumn of same year, Ebene- 
zer Fish became the proprietor. July 13, 1832, it assumed the 
title of Norfolk Advertiser and hidependent Politician. April 2, 
1836, it was simply the Norfolk Advertiser. August 1, 1837, 
Elbridge G. Robinson became the proprietor and publisher, until 
its discontinuance, February 1, 1839, when the Norfolk Democrat 
commenced from the same office; E. G. Robinson proprietor and 
printer ; Silas W. Wilder editor to February, 1843 ; since which 
time the paper has been continued by Mr. Robinson, editor and 
proprietor. 



OLD AND NEW ST¥LE OF COMPUTING TIME. 

The exact solar year is found by astronomers to be 36-5 days, 
6 hours, 48 minutes, 48 seconds. But in computing time, the 
solar year is assumed to consist of 36-5 days, 6 hours, 49 min- 
utes. This computation, which was made and promulgated by 



78 OLD AND NEW STYLE OF COMPUTING TIME. 

Pope Gregory XIII. in 15S2, and thence called the Gregorian 
style, requires that an intercalation of one day in February should 
be made every fourth year, for the recovery of the odd hours ; 
and that the sixteen hundredth year of the Christian era, and ev- 
ery fourth century hereafter, should be a bissextile or leap year, 
for the recovery of the odd minutes. He also ordained, in order 
to restore the equinoxes which, according to the previous mode of 
computing time, had fallen back ten days since A. D. 325, that 
ten days should be cut off after the fourth day of October, so that 
the fifth should be the fifteenth. The odd seconds would require 
the intercalation of one day in about 72Q0 years. 

This New Style of computing time is now introduced in most 
countries of Europe, but was not adopted in England, and con- 
sequently not in this country, until 1752, when by an act of Par- 
liament it was ordered, that eleven days should be stricken off 
from the month of September in that year, and the third day of 
that month be made \he fourteenth. 

The rule therefore to be observed in reducing old style to new, 
appears to be, that to all dates subsequent to October 4, 1582, 
and previous to the introduction of the new style in this country, 
ten days only should be added, except the year 1600, when eleven 
days are required for that year only ; it being the bissextile or 
leap year for the recovery of the odd minutes. The years 2000, 
2400, 2800, will each require a day to be added for the recovery 
of the odd minutes up to those dates respectively, in the same 
way that a day is added every fourth year, for recovering the odd 
hours, bat for those years only. The eleven days stricken off 
by the British Parliament included the additional one required for 
the year 1600, and could only apply to the year 1752, when the 
Gregorian style was adopted. Every year divisible by 4, without 
a remainder, is leap year. 

In this book, all dates in the early records are made to corres- 
pond with the present style of computing time, according to the 
above rule. 



TOWN CLERKS — SELECTMEN. 



79 



TOWN CLERKS. 

The name of each individual is given the year in which he 
was first elected ; and the number of years he was chosen is ad- 
ded, without noticing the particular years. Town Clerks and 
Selectmen were elected for the first time May 17, 1639. 

-Jonathan Metcalf 1 

-William Avery 4 

-Samuel Dexter 5 

-Isaac Whiting 6 

-Joseph Guild 4 

-Ebenezer Battelle 2 

-Abner Ellis 1 

-Ichabod Gay 2 
-Nathaniel Kingsbury 1 

-Isaac Bullard 3 

-Eliphalet Pond 25 

-Josiah Daniell 3 

-Richard Ellis 29 

-John Bullard 1 

-Jonathan H. Cobb 3 



1639- 


-Edward Allen 


2 


1755 


1641- 


— Eleazer Lusher 


. 23 


1759 


1643- 


-Michael Powell 


4 


1764 


1657- 


-Joshua Fisher 


4 


1769 


1661- 


-Timothy Dwight 


10 


1773- 


16S1- 


-Nathaniel Stearns 


5 


177S- 


16S7- 


-Thomas Battelle 


2 


1780- 


1690- 


-John Fuller 


4 


1781- 


1694- 


-William Avery 


15 


1783- 


1709- 


-Joseph Wight 


13 


1784 


1720- 


-Jeremiah Fisher 


6 


1787- 


1727- 


-John Gay 


2 


1812- 


1729- 


-William Avery 


1 


1815- 


1731- 


-John Metcalf 


16 


1824 


1747- 


-Eliphalet Pond 


12 


1845 



SELECTMEN. 



The same rule is adopted here as 

Clerks, in reference to the time of el 

years in office. 

1639— Edward Allen 3 1643 

John Kingsbury 12 1644 

John Luson 2 

Eleazer Lusher 29 1645 

John Dwight 16 

Robert Hinsdale 3 1646 

John Bachelor 2 

1640— Ralph Wheelock 1 1649 

JohnHayward 9 1650 

1641— Samuel Morse 2 1651 

Thomas Wight 6 1654 

Nathan Aldis 3 1658 

Michael Metcalf 1 

Francis Chickering 15 1661 

1642 — Henry Chickering 6 

1643— Peter Woodward 16 



under the head of Town 
ection and the number of 



Michael Powell 4 

—William Bullard 2 

Timolhy Dwight 24 

— Joseph Kingsbury 2 

Henry Phillips 1 

— Anthony Fisher 2 

Edward Richards 9 

— Joshua Fisher 21 

— Daniel Fisher 32 

— Nathaniel Colburn 5 

— John Gay 1 

John Hunting 15 

Jonathan Fairbanks 1 

Richard Everett 1 

John Bacon 4 

Henry Wight 10 



r 



«u 




SELECTMEN. 






'1661- 


-Ralph Day 


2 


1719- 


-Jeremiah Fisher 


6 




Daniel Pond 


14 




Samuel Ware 


1 


1663- 


-Thomas Fuller 


14 




Joseph Dean 


2 


1664- 


—William Avery 


8 


1720- 


-Jabez Pond 


2 


1673- 


-Richard Ellis 


9 


1721- 


-John Gay 


4 


1675- 


—John Aldis 


12 




Joseph Smith 


1 




John Farrington 


2 


1722- 


-Ebenezer Woodward 


3 


1677- 


—Thomas Battelle 


5 


1724- 


-John Everett 


8 


1678- 


-Thomas Metcalf 


10 


1727- 


-Joseph Smith 


2 


1681- 


—Nathaniel Stearns 


5 


1729- 


-Eleazer Ellis 


1 


1684- 


— William Avery 


22 


1731- 


-Nathaniel Chickering 5 


16S7- 


-Peter Woodward 


1 




John Fisher 


o 


1688- 


-Timothy Dwight 


1 




Joseph Richards 


5 




James Thorp 


I 


1732- 


-Ephraim Wilson 


7 


1690- 


-John Fuller 


5 


1736- 


-Richard Everett 


5 




Daniel Fisher 


9 




Jeremiah Fisher 


6 




Ezra Morse 


4 




Josiah Fisher 


7 




Joseph Wight 


18 


1739- 


—Jonathan Onion 


3 


1692- 


-Asahel Smith 


3 




Jonathan Whiting 


2 




Nathaniel Chickering 1 


1741- 


—Joseph Wight 


14 


1693- 


-Samuel Guild 


20 




Nathaniel Battle 


3 




Eleazer Kingsbury 


10 


1742- 


-Eleazer Fisher 


2 


1694- 


-Nathaniel Bullard 


o 




Joseph Ellis 


2 


1697- 


-Josiah Fisher 


5 


1743- 


-Eliphalet Pond 


16 


1698- 


-Samuel Gay 


1 


1744- 


-William Everett 


5 




Robert Avery 


1 




Richard Ellis 


3 


1699- 


-Jonathan Metcalf 


1 




Joshua Ellis 


3 


1702- 


-Thomas Fuller 


5 


1746- 


-James Draper 


1 




Joseph Fairbanks 


3 




Lusher Gay 


2 


1704- 


-Nathaniel Gay 


7 


1747- 


-Michael Bacon 


1 




Amos Fisher 


o 


1748- 


-Hezekiah Allen 


2 


1705- 


-John Fuller 


2 


1749- 


-Ezra Morse 


4 




Benjamin Colburn 


2 




Nathaniel Colburn 


1 


1706- 


-John Smith 


3 


1750- 


-Benjamin Fairbanks 


3 


1707- 


-Timothy Whiting 


8 




Nathaniel Wilson 


3 


1710- 


-Robert Cook 


1 


1753- 


-Nathaniel Sumner 


19 


1711- 


-John Ellis 


3 




Isaac Whiting 


12 


1712- 


-Daniel Wight 


2 




Joseph Chickering 


2 


1714- 


-Joseph Ellis 


5 


1755- 


-Jonathan Metcalf 


1 




Michael Metcalf 


7 




Stephen Badlam 


4 


1715- 


-Comfort Starr 


3 




Jonathan Day 


3 


1716- 


-John Metcalf 


27 


1756- 


-James Draper 


2 


1717- 


-Nathaniel Kingsbury 2 


1758- 


-William Avery 


13 




William Bullard 


8 




Daniel Gay 


3 


1718- 


-William Avery 


5 




Ralph Day 


2 




John Hunting 


1 


1759- 


-John Jones 


3 



SELF.CTMEN. 



81 



1760 — Ebenezer Everett 4 

1762— David Fuller 2 

Samuel Colburn 5 

Daniel Chickering 4 

1764 — Samuel Dexter 5 

Ebenezer Newell 7 

1767 — Joseph Haven 5 

1768 — Joseph Guild 7 

1769— Abijah Draper 5 

1770— William Whiting 3 

1771— William Bullard 2 

1773— Isaac Bullard 5 

Nathaniel Kingsbury 5 

Isaac Colburn 2 

Nathaniel Battle 1 

1774 — Jonathan Dean 1 

1775 — Samuel Damon 3 

Ichabod Gay 4 

1776 — Isaac Whiting 2 

George Gould 7 

Eleazer Allen 1 

1777 — Jeremiah Kingsbury 1 

1778— Ebenezer Battelle " 2 

John Ellis 13 

Ichabod Ellis 1 

1779— Ebenezer Smith 2 

Ebenezer Battle 1 

1780— Abner Ellis 1 

Abiathar Richards 1 

1783 — Lemuel Richards 1 

1784— Ebenezer Gay 1 

1785 — Ebenezer Fisher 1 

Benjamin Fairbanks 1 

1786— Aaron Fuller 16 

Joseph Gay 1 

1787— Eliphalet Pond 16 

Nathaniel Whiting 4 

James Kingsbury 1 

1788— Joseph Whiting 3 

1791— Eliphalet Thorp 1 

1792— George Ellis 10 

Calvin Whiting 14 

1793— Jesse Gay 6 



1793— Abel Richards 1 

1794— Asa Fisher 1 

Jonathan Richards 5 

1795 — Joseph Turner 1 

Oliver Guild 4 

1797 — Benjamin Fairbanks 1 

1799— Abner Guild 4 

Samuel H. Dean 10 

1801— Isaac Colburn 2 

1803— Moses Whiting 6 

Abner Ellis 7 

Ebenezer Sumner 1 

1804— Joshua Whiting 9 

1805 — Benjamin Colburn 1 

1806— Seth Gay 2 

1808— Richard Ellis 4 

Josiah Daniell 7 

1809 — Benjamin Fisher 1 

1811— William Phipps 6 

1813- Moses Gav 3 

1815— Joseph Onion 2 

Paul Ellis 1 

1816 — Joshua Fales 5 

1817— Martin Marsh 12 

Obed Baker 3 

1819— Jesse Gav 3 

William Ellis 2 

1820— John Guild 6 

1825— John Bullard 20 

Lewis Rhoads 7 

James Pettee 2 

John Dean 8 

1826 — Jeremiah Draper 1 

1828— Colburn Ellis 14 

lS30-,Ebenezer Fisher 1 

1831- Wm. King Gay 1 

1832— Jabez Sumner 9 

George Ellis 2d- 14 
1833— Timothy P. Whitney 1 

Ellis Fuller 7 

1842— J. N. E. Mann 4 

1843— Martin Draper 5 

1846— Mason Richards 2 



11 



S2 .AM.OTMRNT OF I.ANP?. 



ALLOTMENT AND VALUE OF LANDS, 

A survey having been made of such lands near at hand as 
were suitable for tillage, a dividend was made of them among the 
proprietors, in 1643, by the seven men who were annually select- 
ed to have the general supervision of public affairs. In making 
this division, the following general rules were observed : 

" 1. The number of persons one considerable rule in division, 
yet not the only rule ; and it was considered, — 2, That servants 
should be referred to men's estates and according to men's estates. 
3. According to men's rank, quality, desert and usefulness, either 
in church or commonwealth. 4. That men of useful trades may 
have material to improve the same, be encouraged, and have land 
as near home as may be convenient ; and that husbandmen that 
have abilities to improve more than others be considered in this 
division." 

These rules appear to have been observed so long as there 
were any common lands remaining to be divided ; a portion be- 
ing always appropriated and set apart for the public use of the 
town, the church, and the school. 

In all divisions of woods and waste lands, each proprietor re- 
ceived a quantity proportioned to the number of shares, or " cow 
commons," originally allotted him. A general division of these 
lands was agreed upon by the proprietors in 1659, by which 
means it was that each became possessed of lots in different parts 
of the town. Many of these estates still remain in possession of 
the descendants of those to whom they were originally allotted. 

During the first century of the settlement, the worth of these 
lands in money was but of little account in comparison with 
their present value in the market. A committee appointed by 
the town in 1650, to purchase some lands adjoining Dedham and 
now included within its limits, then belonging to Roxbury peo- 
ple, were restricted from giving more than 60^. for one thousand 
acres. Many of these acres would now be valued separately at 
prices equal to the reputed value of the whole at that lime. As 
the population of the town increased, they of course l^ecame more 
and more in demand, and the ratio of value kept pace with it. 



ALLOTMENT AND VALUE OF LANDS. S3 

Since the construction of railroads, the usual products of farms 
are brought from a distance to compete with the produce of the 
soil in this quarter. The tendency of this competition is, to les- 
sen the worth of lands here, for farming purposes. But these 
same railroads also tend to the increase of business in the neigh- 
boring cities, and to such an extent as to compel the inhabitants 
to seek locations for their dwelling houses in the surrounding 
country. 

The healthy situation of Dedham, its beautiful scenery, with 
its excellent schools, combined with the numerous elegant sites 
for building spots in the vicinity of the terminus of the branch 
railroad, offer great inducements for such to make this town their 
permanent residence. Of these advantages they will undoubted- 
ly continue to avail themselves to an almost unlimited extent, so 
long as building spots can be obtained at reasonable prices. Any 
extravagant price required for lands here, would inevitably drive 
people to seek other locations for the erection of their dwellings, 
who would otherwise gladly locate themselves in this pleasant 
town. 

The proprietors of the soil too, will doubtless in time turn their 
attention more to the cultivation of greater varieties of early fruits, 
and the raising of garden vegetables for the market, to supply the 
continually increasing demand. A large portion of the soil here 
is well adapted to this kind of produce. If rightly managed, it 
can scarcely fail of proving a profitable source of revenue to the 
landholders ; more especially as these productions cannot so well 
be brought in competition from abroad, as is the case with the 
more staple and less perishable articles. 

These natural deviations from the present established course of 
agricultural pursuits, together with the further introduction of 
manufactures and the mechanic arts into the town, will keep 
lands here from falling below their present rates, and gradually 
enhance their value. 

The following are the names of Proprietors, to whom the grant 
of lands alluded to in the commencement of this article was 
made. They are copied from the town records, folio 1, page SI. 
The date corresponds with the 16th of February. 1643, present 
style. 



84 



ORIGINAL PROI'UIETORS — CLAY GROUNDS. 



" The 6th of the 12 month, 1642. 
" Granted to those persons whose names are underwritten, of 
upland ground fit for improvement with the plough, as follow- 

eth :" 

Original Proprietors of Lands. 



John Kingsbury 
John Hayward 
John Bachelor 
Michael Bacon 
Thomas Alcocke 
Robert Ware 
Thomas Paine 
Austin Kalem 
John Ellis 
John Eaton 
Thomas Eames 
Mr. Samuel Cook 
William Bullard 
John Bullard 
John Gay 
Anthony Fisher 
Twaits Strickland 
Thomas Wight 
Henry Chickering 
John Thurston 
Elizabeth Fisher 
Kobert Gowen 
Thomas Jordan 



James Jordan 
James Allin 
John Newton 
Edward AUeyn 
Edward Colver 
Robert Mason 
John Allin, pastor 
Joseph Kingsbury 
Henry Brocke 
Nathaniel Colburn 
Henry Phillips 
Nathan Aldis 
Samuel Morse 
John Morse 
Joseph Morse 
Richard Ellis 
John Hunting, elder 
John Roper 
Henry Smith 
Richard Barber 
Lambert Genery 
Thomas Leader 
Timothy Dwight 



John Dwight 
Nathaniel Whiting 
Edward Kempe 
Thomas Bayer 
Edward Richards 
Francis Chickering 
William Bearstow 
George Bearstow 
Jonathan Fairbanks 
John Fairbanks 
Michael Powell 
Michael Metcalf 
Henry Wilson 
John Frary 
Eleazer Lusher 
Peter Woodward 
Richard Everett 
John Guild 
Ferdinando Adams 
James Herring 
Samuel Bullen 
Daniel Morse 



CLAY GROUNDS. 

The bricks used in building the houses of the first settlers of 
Dedham, were made from the clay found in various places near 
their dwellings. One of the principal clay pits was that on the 
lot of Michael Metcalf on Dedham Island, now included in the 
farm of Thomas Motley, Esq. A brick kiln was worked at this 
place at an early date. In May, 1643, the proprietors "Ordered, 
that Thomas Paine and all that are enclosed by the fence on the 
Island near the brick kiln shall dig a ditch from the creek al- 
ready ditched to the upland, to fence their corn and meadow ; 
and if the town shall hereafter see cause to dig a creek to come 
up with a boat from the river to the brick kiln, the town shall 



CLAY GROUNDS. 85 

make the said parties that dig the ditch such satisfaction as shall 
be considered by indifferent men, that the said ditch shall further 
the digging of the creek." In 1661, Robert Ware wishing to ex- 
change a highway leading to the clay pits near this brick kiln, 
Thomas Fuller and Thomas Paine are deputed to lay out the 
new way, which is done accordingly. This way was kept open 
until 1745, when it being represented that it might be closed 
without detriment to the town, permission was granted for shut- 
ting it up, liberty being reserved for the inhabitants to pass and 
repass, to carry away the clay that might be dug there. 

In October, 1649, John Dwight and Lieut. Fisher are deputed 
to bargain with Lambert Genery, for a small parcel of land in his 
lot, where clay may be found for brick, and return answer to the 
selectmen ; who return answer that said Lambert hereby gives it 
to the town. Ralph Day is allowed the free use of the clay for 
making bricks, and is also allowed to take what wood he may 
want for that purpose from the common lands. 

Another spot where clay was dug in considerable quantities 
was in East-street, on land allotted to George Bearstow, now be- 
longing to the heirs of Ebenezer Fairbanks, and near his late 
residence. Leave was granted to the town by the proprietor, in 
1647, to dig clay in this ground, as appears by the following rec- 
ord ; — "January 5, George Bearstow granteth to the town that 
part of his house lot that lyeth at the west end thereof, where 
clay is accustomed to be digged, viz. from the Little river or 
creek at the end of his said lot, all the breadth thereof so far east- 
ward as clay is to be found, together with a sufficient space for a 
passage from said parcel to the creek, on the south side of said 
lot, so long as clay is to be found in that place ; the town to 
maintain a sufficient fence on the south side of said lot to the 
Little river or creek aforesaid, so long as the inhabitants make 
use of such way." Soon after, this property coming into posses- 
sion of John Fairbanks, senior, some difficulty relating to this 
fence arose between the new proprietor and the town. The case 
was finally left to the consideration of referees, mutually chosen, 
who, in 1678, decided that the town pay to Fairbanks 30^. in 
money, and also allow him two small parcels of land adjacent, 
containing about three and an half acres, in full satisfaction. 



86 GRADUATES. 

Clay is also found to some extent on the Sprague farm at Low 
Plain, on land of Leonard Fisher in the south parish, and other 
places in the town. This clay is now more valuable for the man- 
ufacturing of sheathing paper than bricks. 



A CATALOGUE OF NATIVES OF DEDHAM, 

TVho have Graduated at Harvard University. 

[For the collecting and tracing out the names comprised under the 
above title, and for their parentage and date of birth, the reader is in- 
debted to one of the number. The other points of their history, which 
are annexed, are contributed by a friend.] 

The year each person graduated is prefixed to his name. Those with- 
out a mark prefixed were of the First Parish, t West Parish, t South 
Parish. § Fourth Parish, now Dover. 

1675. DANIEL ALLIN, son of Rev. John and Margaret Allin, born 
August 5, 1656. Winthrop calls him (Ms. Hist, of Graduates) " a phy- 
sician in Boston." He seems from his Will, (SuflTolk Prob, Rec.) to 
have died in December, 1692. 

1687. JOSIAH DWIGHT, son of Timothy and Ann Dwight, born 
February 8, 1670 ; first minister of Woodstock, Ct., from 1690 to 1726 ; 
first minister of Dedham, West Parish, ordained June 4, 1735, dismissed 
May 10, 1743 ; returned to Woodstock ; died in 1748. He published in 
1745 in Boston an "Essay on the outcry raised against regular singing," 
(the then modern fashion of singing the entire hymn consecutively) 
also, a sermon originally preached at Framingham. Flynt Dwight (H. 
U. 1724) was a son. 

1693. JOHN WOODWARD, son of Peter and Mehitabell Wood- 
ward, born December 7, 1671 ; second minister of Norwich, Ct., or- 
dained in 1699 ; dismissed in 1716. He is asterized (that is, denoted as 
dead) in the Catalogue of 1748. 

1706. DANIEL BAKER, son of John and Abigail Baker, born 
April 18,1686; second minister of Sherburne, ordained in 1713; mar- 
ried Mary Elliott, widow, sister of Edmund Quincy (H. U. 169;>) died 
May 14, 1731. He published two sermons, 1726-28. 

1706. NATHANIEL FISHER, son of Daniel and Mary Fisher, born 
April 5, 1686 ; first minister of Dighton, ordaiijed November 26, 1712, a 
colleague was given him in 1772; died in 1777. 



GRADUATES. 87 

1706. JOSEPH AVERY, son of William and Elizabeth Avery, born 
April 9, 1687 ; first minister of Norton, ordained October 26, 1714 ; died 
April 23, 1770. 

1706. JOHN AVERY, brother of the above, born December 26, 
1685 ; first minister of Truro, for which he also served as physician, or- 
dained November, 1711 ; died April 25, 1754. 

1714. EBENEZER GAY, son of Nathaniel and Lydia Gay, born 
August 15, 1696 J third minister of Hingham, ordained June 11, 1718 j 
married Jerusha, daughter of Samuel Bradford of Duxbury ; died March 
18, 1787. His published sermons are eighteen in number, of which the 
"Old Man's Calendar" is best known and has been more than once re- 
printed. 

1721. JABEZ WIGHT, son of Joseph and Mary Wight, born July 
12, 1701 ; ordained at East Norwich, (now Preston) Ct., October 27, 
1726 ; married Ruth Swan of Stonington, Ct. ; died September 11, 1782. 

1721. JOSEPH RICHARDS, son ot John and Judith Richards, 
born April 18, 1701 ; physician in Dedham ; Justice of the Peace ; Rep- 
resentative ; Colonel of Militia ; died February 25, 1761. 

1721. JOHN WIGHT, son of Daniel and Annah Wight, born April 
22, 1699 ; first minister of New Marblehead, (now WindJiam) Me. ; or- 
dained December 14, 1743 ; married Mary Pond of Dedham ; died May 
8, 1753. 

1726. DANIEL DWIGHT, son of Michael and Rachel Dwight, 
born October 28, 1707 ; the Boston News Letter which notices his death 
in Dedham speaks of him as "having fitted for the ministry and been an 
occasional preacher, but had for years engaged in other business" died 
July 4, 1747. 

1726. JEREMIAH FISHER, son of Jeremiah and Deborah Fisher, 
born September 23, 1704 ; farmer in Dedham ; married Elizabeth Cook 
of Boston ; died July, 1752. 

1737. t EBENEZER GAY, son of Lusher and Mary Gay, born 
May 4, 1718 ; third minister of Suffield, Ct. ; ordained January 13, 1742 j 
married Mary, daughter of Judge Gushing of Scituate ; died March, 
1796. He was succeeded by his son Ebenezer Gay (Y. C. 1787.) His 
only publication was a sermon at the ordination of Bunker Gay at Hins- 
dale. 

1756. GEORGE DAMAN, son of John and Elizabeth Daman, born 
July 7, 1736 , fourth minister of Tisbury, Martha's Vineyard, ordained 



S8 



GRADUATES. 



in 1760; resigned in 1779; removed to Woodstock, Vt., where he con- 
tinued to preach, but was not resettled ; died December, 1796. 

1759. t SAMUEL KINGSBURY, son of Ebenezer and Abigail 
Kingsbury, born December 17, 1736; fifth minister of Edgartown, Mar- 
tha's Vineyard, ordained 1761 ; married Jedidah Sumner of Brookfield ; 
died December 30, 1778. 

1760. t BUNKER GAY, son of Lusher and Mary Gay, born July 
31, 1735 ; first minister of Hinsdale, N. H., ordained August 17, 1763 ; 
resigned in 1801 ; married Abigail Prentiss of Cambridge ; remained in 
Hinsdale ; died October 19, 1815. His Thanksgiving sermon, 1793, is 
perhaps unique, a large portion of it being written in verse. He pub- 
lished also two other discourses. A manuscript letter of his still exists, 
narrating the Indian assault on Hinsdale in 1755, 

1761. NATHANIEL AMES, son of Dr. Nathaniel and Deborah 
Ames, born October 9, 1741 ; physician in Dedham, where he was also 
an active political partisan of the Jefferson school ; married Melitia 
Shuttleworth of Dedham ; died July 21, 1822. 

1763. t BENJAMIN BALCH, son of Rev. Thomas and Mary Balch, 
born February 12, 1743; first minister of Mendon, South Society, or- 
dained September 14, 1768 ; resigned October 14, 1772; during the Rev- 
olutionary war was chaplain in the naval service ; installed third minis- 
ter at Barrington, N. H., August 25, 1784 ; died May 4, 1816. 

1763. NATHANIEL FISHER, son of Jeremiah and Elizabeth 
Fisher, born July 8, 1742; went to London in 1772 and was ordained as 
Deacon by Bishop Lowth ; became Episcopal minister of Granville and 
next of Shelburn, Novia Scotia; returning to Massachusetts in 1782, 
was for a time put in durance as a British subject, but released on taking 
the oath of fidelity to the State ; came the same year to Salem where 
he was inducted as Rector of St, Peters; married Silence Baker of Ded- 
ham ; died December 20, 1812. A small volume of his sermons was 
published in 1818. 

1764. SETH AMES, son of Dr. Nathaniel and Deborah Ames, born 
February 14, 1742 ; physician in Amherst, N. H. ; returned to Dedham 
with impaired health, the consequence, according to Farmer, of his 
boundless indulgence in snuff"; but other accounts say, from a pulmo- 
nary disease contracted while Surgeon to an American Regiment; died 
January 1, 1778. 

1766. t JOSHUA FISHER, son of Nathaniel and Elizabeth Fisher, 
born May 17, 1748; physician, first in Ipswich till 1780, where he was 
one of their Revolutionary Committee of Correspondence, and next in. 



GHADUATES. S9 

Beverly; President of the Massachusetts Medical Society; married (1) 
Abigail daughter of Daniel Staniford of Beverly (H. U. 17:38) (2) Mrs. 
Bridge of Lancaster ; died March 15, 1833, By his bounty, a fund was 
created in his native religious society and a Professorship of Natural 
History, bearing his name, founded in his Alma Mater. 

1768. EEENEZER STARR, son of Jonathan and Sarah Starr, born 
May 1, 1744; physician in Dunstable, Mass. ; married Hannah, daugh- 
ter of Hon. Joseph Blanchard of Hinsdale ; died September 7, 1706. 

1771. JOSEPH AVERY, son of William and Bethiah Avery, born 
October 14,1751; second minister of Holden, ordained December 21, 
1774 ; married Mary Allen of Boston ; died March 5, 1824. An oration 
of his, delivered at Holden, July 4, 1806, was published. 

1771. t MOSES EVERETT, son of Ebenezer and Joanna Everett, 
born July 15, 1750 ; ninth minister of Dorchester, ordained September 
28, 1774; resigned from ill health January 14, 1793; Judge of the Court 
of Common Pleas for Norfolk County; married (1) Lucy, daughter of 
Rev. Thomas Balch of Dedham, (2) Joanna Bird of Dorchester, (.3) 
Hannah, widow of Henry Gardner Esq., State Treasurer; died March 
25, 1813. He published two single sermons, one being at the ordination 
of his brother Oliver Everett, 1782. Moses, Ebenezer and Stevens Ev- 
erett (H. U. 1796, 1806, 1815) were his sons. 

1774. FISHER AMES, son of Dr. Nathaniel and Deborah Ames, 
born April 9, 1758. He began life as an Attorney at Law in his native 
town, from which he was soon diverted to a wider and more congenial 
sphere, and his name and fame, as an orator and statesman, have become 
a part of American History. He was a Delegate to the State Conven 
tion on adopting the Federal Constitution, 1788 ; first Representative in 
Congress for Suffolk District; President elect of Harvard Universitv, 
1604, which honor he declined. He married Frances, daughter of Hon. 
John Worthington of Springfield, and died July 4, 1808. His speeches 
and political and literary essays were collected into a volume, to which 
his life, by the Rev. Dr. Kirkland, was prcfi.xed in 1809. In the ceme- 
tery of his native village a beautiful monument of marble marks the 
spot where his remains are deposited. 

1774. § JABEZ CHICKERING, son of Joseph and Rebecca Chick- 
ering, born November 4, 1753; second minister of Dedham, South Par- 
ish, ordained July 3, 1776 ; married Hannah, daughter of Rev. Thomas 
Balch, his predecessor ; died March 12, 1812. 

1775. EBENEZER BATTELLE, son of Ebenezer and Prudence 
Battelle, born February 4, 1754 ; merciiant in Boston ; returned to Ded- 

12 



90 GRADUATES. 

ham ; engaged in merchandize ; Colonel of militia ; married Nancy Do- 
rant of Boston ; removed to Marietta, Ohio, with the pioneer company 
of emigrants in 1788 ; settled at Newport ; died January 10, 1815. 

1776. EBENEZER WIGHT, son of Ebenezer and Subiah Wight, 
born September 24, 1750 ; second minister of Hollia Street Church, 
Boston, ordained February 25, 1778; resigned from impaired health and 
sight, September 7, 1788; returned to Dedham where for some years he 
was teacher of an academy ; married (1) Sarah Brown of Waltham, (2) 
Catharine Fuller of Dedham; died September 25, 1821. 

1776. PETER WOODWARD, son of Richard and Susanna Wood- 
ward, born December 14, 1753; removed with his father's family to New 
Haven, Ct., Merchant; Deputy Sheriff; went to New York about 1800, 
was employed in the Custom House there and became an active demo- 
cratic partisan. He is asterized in the Catalogue of Yale College for 
1811. 

1777, SAMUEL SHUTTLEWORTH, son of Samuel and Abigail 
Shuttleworth, born November 1, 1751 ; ordained at Windsor, Vt., June 
23, 1790 ; left the ministry after a few years and entered the profession 
of law; married Deborah Ames of Dedham; died October, 1834. 

1779. t OLIVER EVERETT, son of Ebenezer and Joanna Everett, 
born June 11, 1752 ; fourth minister of the new South Church, Boston ; 
ordained January 2, 1782; resigned from ill health, May 26, 1792; 
Judge of the Court of Common Pleas for Norfolk County ; married 
Lucy, daughter of Alexander S. Hill of Philadelphia ; died December 
19, 1802. Alexander H. — Edward, late Governor of Massachusetts, 
and John Everett (H. U. 1806, 1811, 1818) are his sons. 

1780. 1 PHILIP DRAPER, son of Timothy and Hannah Draper, 
born March 2, 1757; physician in Dedham, South Parish; married Me- 
hitabel, daughter of Jeremiah Kingsbury of Dedham ; died March 21, 
1817. 

1783. t ICHABOD DRAPER, brother of the preceding, born Au- 
gust 24, 1755 ; first minister of Amherst, Mass., Second Church, or- 
dained January, 1785 ; resigned October, 1809 ; remained in Amherst ; 
died December, 1827. 

1789. SAMUEL HAVEN, son of Rev. Jason and Catharine Haven, 
born Aprils, 1771; entered the legal profession; Register of Probate 
for Norfolk County from 1793 to 1833; Chief Justice of the Court of 
Common Pleas for Norfolk ; married Elizabeth, daughter of Bossenger 
Foster, Esq., of Cambridge ; resident in Dedham from the first. 



tJKADUATEP. 



91 



1795. i CURTIS GUILD, son of Moses and Sarah Guild, born 
May 9, 1774 ; died while student of medicine, June 20,' 1797. 

1799. t JOSEPH CHICKERING, son of Rev. Jabez and Hannah 
Chickering, born April 30, 1780; seventh minister of Woburn, ordained 
March 28, 1804; dismissed April 11, 1821; installed at Phillipston, third 
minister, July 10, 1822; resigned from ill health July 15, 1835; married 
(1) Elizabeth White of Concord, (2) Sarah A. Holt of Andover; died 
January 27, 1844. 

1804. t JABEZ CHICKERING, brother of the preceding, born Au- 
gust 28, 1782 ; lawyer in Dedham ; Cashier of Dedham Bank ; married 
D. F., daughter of Abel Allyn of this town; removed to Munroe, Mich- 
igan, in 1823; died October 20, 1826. 

1805. t SAMUEL GAY, son of Jesse and Sarah Gay, born March 
16, 1784 ; third minister of Hubbardston, ordained October 17, 1813 ; 
dismissed from his charge in 1827 and was settled over an "Evangelical 
Society" of seceders, including a majority of the church; married Eliz- 
abeth, daughter of Rev. Jabez Chickering of Dedham. 

1808. t JEREMIAH DRAPER, son of Dr. Phillip and Mehitable 
Draper, born April 19, 1789; farmer in Dedham; married Sabrina Wait 
of Montreal ; died September 29, 1840. 

1808. t MOSES DRAPER, brother of the above, born January 5, 
1791 ; lawyer in Boston but resides in Dorchester. 

1810. t GEORGE GAY, son of Willard and Sarah Gay, born March 
10, 1790 ; lawyer in Boston ; married Nancy, daughter of Joseph Lover- 
ing of that city ; died November 9, 1843. 

1813. JOHN WORTHINGTON AMES, son of Fisher and Frances 
Ames, born October 22, 1793 ; lawyer in Dedham ; Representative ; 
President of Dedham Bank ; died, unmarried, October 31, 1833. 

1815. DANFORTH PHIPPS WIGHT, son of Rev. Ebenezer and 
Catharine Wight, born February 8, 1792 ; physician in Barnstable ; re- 
turned to Dedham in 1842, and continues in the practice of medicine. 

1816. GEORGE BAKER, son of Eliphalet and Anne Baker, born 
July 9, 1796 ; physician in Lancester ; next druggist in Cambridgeport ; 
has resumed his profession in Chelsea; married (1) Eliza D. Hastings of 
Boston, (2) Emily Tidd of Medford. 

1822. JEREMIAH FISHER AMES, son of Fisher and Frances 
Ames, born October 9, 1802; physician in Providence, R. I.; returned 
to Dedham ; died, unmarried, January 23, 1829. 

1822. t CURTIS GUILD, son of Moses and Abigail Guild, born 
September 22, 1799; trader in Boston ; married Charlotte L. Hodges of 
that citv. 



92 (iUADUATES. 

182;^. JOHN HOLBROOK RICHARDS, son of Samuel and Mary 
Richards, born February 23, 1804 ; physician in Boston ; engaged in 
mercantile business in Paris, France, in 1833; returned home in 1839; 
settled as a merchant in Chicago, Illinois ; died, unmarried, October 22, 
1846. 

1825. SETH AMES, son of Fisher and Frances Ames, born April 
19, 1805 ; lawyer in Lowell ; Senator from Middlesex ; married Mar- 
garet, daughter of Gamaliel Bradford, of Charlestown. 

1837. JAMES RICHARDSON, son of James and Sarah Richard- 
son, born May 25, 1817 ; ordained in Southington, Ct., June 10, 1846. 

1843. EDWARD STIMSON, son of Dr. Jeremy and Hopestill Stim- 
son, born October 29, 1823; physician in Boston. 

1846. GEORGE MORRILL, son of Joseph and Nancy Morrill, 
born September 7, 1825; student of law in Boston. 

The Rev. Mr. Haven enrols (note to his occasional sermon, 1796) 
Samuel Dexter (H. U. 1781) and Jonathan Fisher (H. U. 1792) among 
the graduates of Dedham ; but in fact, the first was born in Boston and 
the last in Holden. The nativity of Caleb Ellis, Joel Ellis, and Warren 
Colburn (H. U. 1793, 1803, 1820) has, in some publications, been referred 
to Dedham ; but they were born in Walpole. 



The following Natives of Dedham have graduated at other 

Colleges. 

1797. Abijah Draper, son of Abijah and Alice Draper, born Sep- 
tember 22, 1775, graduated at Brown University ; married Lavinia Tyler 
of Attleborough ; physician in Roxbury ; representative ; died March 
26, 1836. 

1821. X Oliver Everett, son of Ebenezer and Sally Everett, born 
November 11, 1798 ; graduated at Brown University ; physician in Sher- 
burne ; married Maria Sanger of that town. 

1822. George Howe, son of William and Mary Howe, born Novem- 
ber 6,1802; graduated at Middlebury College; Professor of Theology 
in Dartmouth College ; Professor of Biblical Literature in the Theologi- 
cal Seminary, Columbia, South Carolina. 

1826. Samuel Foster Haven, son of Samuel and Elizabeth Haven, 
born May 28, 1806 ; graduated at Amherst College ; lawyer in Lowell ; 
librarian of the American Antiquarian Society, Worcester; jnarried 
Lydia, daughter of Rev. Freeman Sears of Natick. 



ANCIENT SCHOOL FUNDS. 93 

1831. Francis William Bird, son of George and Martha Bird, born 
October 22, 1809 ; graduated at Brown University ; married (1) iJebecca 
Hillbrooke of Providence, (2) Abby F. Newell of i?oxbury ; manufac- 
turer in Walpole. 

1832. Joshua Bates, son of Joshua and Anna Bates, born March 
17, 1810 ; graduated at Middlebury College ; Professional Teacher in 
Boston. 

1833. George Tracy Metcalf, son of Theron and Julia Metcalf, 
born August 17, 1810 ; graduated at Brown University ; lawyer in Peo- 
ria, Illinois. 

1833. John Codman Bates, son of Joshua and Anna Bates, born 
November 5, 1812 ; graduated at Middlebury College ; lawyer in Mont- 
gomery, Alabama. 

1835. Prentiss Bates, brother of the preceding, born May 16, 1814 ; 
graduated at Middlebury College. 

1836. t David Andrews, son of David and Susanna Andrews, born 
September 15, 1807 ; graduated at Amherst College ; ordained at Pep- 
perell, Mass., January 29, 1840. 

1837. William Bates, son of Joshua and Anna Bates, born January 
18,1816; graduated at Middlebury College; ordained at Northbridge, 
Mass., November 5, 1845. 



ANCIENT SCHOOL FUNDS. 

That the inhabitants of Dedham in former years had an earnest 
desire that those who came after them should receive the bene- 
fits of a good education, is abundantly evident upon the face of 
the records. Grants of lands and donations of money, to be ap- 
propriated for the support of a school or schools in this town, are 
often recorded. That a large portion of the funds so appropriated 
have, from some cause not fully explained, been diverted from the 
purpose intended by the original donors, I believe to be true ; but 
whether they can now be sought out with any benefit to the pres- 
ent generation, is rather problematical. The school funds which 
had accumulated previous to the Revolution, were probably swal- 
lowed up in those convulsive .times, when the greatest sacrifices 
were endured and every available means put in requisition by 
the inhabitants, in order to bring that glorious struggle to a suc- 
cessful issue. These funds have not since been replaced. 



94 



ANCIENT SCHOOL FUNDS. 



A brief notice of some of these grants and donations, and the 
doings of ihe town thereon, it is thought may not be wholly unin- 
teresting at this time, as tending to elucidate the intention of the 
donors, and at the same time render to the inhabitants of this 
town in former years that degree of credit for the interest they 
manifested in the cause of education which is justly their due. 
This last consideration is here offered as my apology, if any is 
needed, for introducing the subject, without pretending to give a 
full and perfect history. 

In the infancy of ihe town we find that a Free School was es- 
tablished, and 20Z. per annum, and the income of certain lands 
were appropriated for a limited period for its support, by the 
unanimous concurrence of the inhabitants. 

Dr. William Avery made a donation of 601. to the town, in 
1680, to be appropriated for the benefit of a Latin school. En- 
sign Fuller, sergeant Pond, and sergeant Metcalf, with the rev- 
erend Elders and selectmen, were deputed to receive and dispose 
of the money so that it might be improved according to the wish 
of the donor. 

In the year 1695, three hundred acres of the best of the unap- 
propriated lands, situated in the north part of the town, now in- 
cluded within the bounds of Needham, were granted by the Pro- 
prietors for the benefit of schools in Dedham, to be called the 
School Farm. Four years after, the town direct that this land be 
sold, and the proceeds be improved for the benefit of a school in 
Dedham. In 1700, the sum of 251. of the school money is loan- 
ed without interest to Timothy Whiting, to assist him in rebuild- 
ing his corn mill which had been destroyed by fire. In 1703, 
William Avery, Ll. Samuel Guild and Nathaniel Gay are cho- 
sen a committee to collect and improve the money accruing from 
the sale of the school farm. 

The committee empowered to sell the School lands being de- 
sirous to have some security from the town to save them harm- 
less for so doing, drew up a writing for that purpose, which they 
presented in May, 1707, and requested it should be entered upon 
the records. The town consent that the aforesaid writing shall 
be entered upon the records and starul for their security, when- 



ANCIENT SCHOOL FUNDS. 95 

ever the selling committee shall pay over the principal and inter- 
est to the Trustees appointed to receive and improve the same. 

Near the close of the sixth volume of the town records, is en- 
tered an account of the School Money rendered by the Trustees 
to the selectmen on the 6th of June, 1721. The securities held 
by them from different individuals to whom the money was loan- 
ed, amounted to 981. 4s. and the interest then due to 71. 4s. 3d. 

In 1722, the question being put to the town whether the school 
money shall be let out to the inhabitants for 5 or 6 per cent, inter- 
est, it was decided in favor of 6 per cent. In the year following, 
it was voted that such persons who have hired the school money 
and given their bonds for silver money, may pay it in to the feof- 
fees in trust in bills of public credit. In 1732, the Trustees of 
the town's share of the 50,000Z. of bills of credit, issued by order 
of the general court in 1721, are directed to'collect and pay over 
the same to the Trustees of the school money, to be by them im- 
proved for the use of the school as the other school money is. 
The sum so transfered was 611. 17s. 5d. The Trustees who re- 
ceived this money were Jabez Pond, John Gay and John Metcalf. 

A donation of money was made to the town by Robert Avery 
in 1726, which was confided to the care of the Trustees of the 
school money for improvement. Neither the amount of this gift 
nor its particular object is stated in the record. 

In 1735, a committee was chosen to attempt by any lawful 
means the recovery of the School Farm, sold by order of the town 
in 1699; the selling of which being now declared injurious to the 
town, and contrary to the true intent of the original grantors. 
This committee is instructed to make a formal demand of the 
land of the possessor, and to pay him reasonable damages in case 
he will relinquish his claim to the town without recourse to the 
law ; and if he will not, then to prosecute recovery of it in the 
law, for which purpose the sum of 30Z. was granted. The result 
of the doings of this committee does not appear in the town rec- 
ord. 

In 174S, deacon Nathaniel Kingsbury made a donation to the 
town of one hundred pounds ; the yearly interest of which to be 
appropriated for the benefit of the school. 



96 THE OLD MILL. 

In May, 1754, the town voted, " that Michael Metcalf, town 
treasurer, and his successors in said trust, be the Trustees to take 
care of the town's stock of school money, and that all bonds given 
for said money be renewed, and that the several debtors bind 
themselves, their heirs, &c. with one or more sufficient securities. 
The bonds to run to the town treasurer for the use of the town." 

In 1766, the sum of 6^. 13s. Ad. was presented to the town by 
Samuel Dexter, Esq. to be added to a like sum given by him the 
previous year ; the interest of which to be applied to the support 
of schools in the town. Mr. Dexter continued to give a like sum 
each year for several years subsequent to this, for the same pur- 
pose. 



The Old Dam, across Charles river, about three fourths of a 
mile southwest from New Bridge, was built by Abraham Shaw 
and his associates with the design of erecting a corn mill there, 
previous to the discovery of the facilities afTorded for that object 
at East Brook. The latter place having been selected for the 
erection of the first corn mill in 1639, the original design appears 
to have been abandoned. That a mill of some kind was put in 
operation here is rendered probable from the fact that this spot is 
frequently alluded to in the early records as the Old Mill ; as in 
1659, when "Lieut. Fisher and John Hayward are deputed to lay 
out that land to Henry Wight, near the place called the Old Mill, 
upon the north side of Charles river, according to that grant." In 
1704, "it was put to the vote of the town whether they will forego 
the Newbridge over Charles river, and build a bridge at the place 
called the Old Mill — voted in the negative." In 1714, leave was 
granted to Eleazer Ellis and Nathaniel Chickering to fence in the 
highway leading to the new foot bridge, they engaging to main- 
tain a gate across said way, which is to continue until the town 
see fit to alter it. Several pieces of timber in a good state of 
preservation have recently been excavated at this spot, supposed 
to have been laid in constructing a flume to the mill, more than 
two hundred years ago. 



SETTLEMliNT AT .^lEDFlELD. 97 



SETTLEMENT AT MEDFIELD. 

In the year 1649, it was determined to commence a selllemenl 
near Bogastow, now the town of Medfield. A petition of the in- 
habitants of Dedham for the grant of a tract of land, "towards the 
accommodation of a Town to be erected and set up in or near that 
place commonly called Bogastow," having been granted by the 
general court, on the " 22d of the 8th month," corresponding to 
the first day of November, a general meeting of the inhabitants 
was held on the 24lh day of November, for the further considera- 
tion of the subject. 

At this meeting, there was " granted for the accommodation of 
the villiage so much land within the west end of the bounds of 
Dedham, next Bogastow, as is or may be contained within the 
extent of three miles east and west, and four miles north and 
south — the form and lines in laying out to be varied and altered 
as in the judgment of such men as shall be deputed thercunio 
shall seem for the most convenient accommodation both of Ded- 
ham and the said villiage." 

The question respecting the conditions upon which this grant 
of lands was made, having been fully discussed, it was resolved 
by vote, that " the said land is by some intended to be freely 
given, and by others, in consideration of part of the meadows, to 
have such satisfaction for their right therein as in the division of 
one hundred pounds divided by common rules of division to those 
of the inhabitants of Dedham that remove not to the villiage may 
come to their share; but that part of the estate of them that re- 
move, that abides in the town, shall receive dividends as other 
estates do." 

A committee was chosen by the town to have the management 
of affairs at Medfield, " until there is such a company of men en- 
gaged in that plantation and associated together as the town of 
Dedham shall judge meet for that work and trust." 

This committee immediately proceeded to the work of forming 
a company to occupy the new settlement. By virtue of the au- 
thority given them by the town of Dedham, they adopt the fol- 
lowing regulations for the present government thereof: — 
13 



98 SETTLEMENT AT MEDFIELD. 

" For as much as for the further promulgation of the Gospel 
and the subduing of this part of the Earth, amongst the rest given 
to the sons of Adam, and the enlargement of the bounds of the 
habitations formerly designed by God to some of his people in 
this wilderness, it hath pleased the Lord to move and direct as 
well the much honored General Court as also the inhabitants of 
the Town of Dedham, each of them in part to grant such a tract 
of land in that place called Bogastow and the adjacent parts 
thereabouts, as is adjudged a meet place for the erecting and 
settling a Town, we the persons whose names are here under- 
written being by the inhabitants of Dedham, elected, chosen, and 
authorized, for the ordering and managing the said Town, or vil- 
liage, to be erected for the due settling thereof, as also for the 
preventing of questions, mistakes, disorders and contentions that 
might arise, do order, determine and resolve as foUoweth : 

" 1st. That all persons whatsoever that shall receive lands by 
grants from the said Town now called Medfield, shall become 
subject to all such orders in any part or points of Town govern- 
ment as are at present or hereafter by the authorities of said town 
shall be made and appointed for the ordering, regulating, or gov- 
ernment thereof, provided they be not repugnant to the orders, or 
any order, of the General Court, from time to time, and that ev- 
ery such grantee shall for the firmer engagement of himself and 
his successors, their use, subscribe his name to our Town Book, 
or otherwise his grants made to him shall hereby be made void 
and of none effect. 

" 2d. That if differences, questions, or contentions shall fall 
out or arise, any manner of ways in our society, or between any 
parties therein, that they shall really endeavor to resolve and issue 
the same in the most peaceable way and manner, before it shall 
come to any place of public judicature, except it be in our own 
town 

" 3d. That we shall all of us in said town faithfully endeavor 
that only such be received to our society and township, as we 
may have sufficient satisfaction in ; that they are honest, peacea- 
ble, and free from scandal and erroneous opinions. 

"4th. That none of us, the inhabitants aforesaid, or our suc- 
cessors at any time hereafter for the space of seven years from 



SETTLEMENT AT MEDFIELD. 



99 



the date hereof, upon any pretence whatsoever, without the con- 
sent of the selectmen for the time being first had and obtained, 
shall alienate, assign, and set over for the space of one whole 
year, any part or parcel of land formerly granted to him or them 
by the Town, except it be to some formerly accepted of by our 
society ; always provided, that this shall in no sort hinder any 
heir at common law." 



Signed by 



^1 



Henry Chickering, 
Ralph Wheelock, 
John Dwight, 
Thomas Wight, 
Peter Woodward, 
Robert Hinsdale, 
Eleazer Lusher, 
Three only of this committee, viz. Messrs. Wheelock, Wight, 

and Hinsdale, removed to Medfield. 

The following are the names of the persons who subscribed to 

form the Society for removing to Medfield : 



Ralph Wheelock 
Thomas Wight 
John Frary 
John Plimpton 
John AUin 
Timothy Dwight 
Daniel Morse 
Thomas Ellis 
Samuel Bullen 
Richard Wheeler 
Joshua Pratt 
John Ellis 
Joseph Clark 
George Barber 
Francis Hammant 



Joseph Daniels 
John Wight 
Robert Hinsdale 
Benjamin Albee 
Henry Smith 
Abraham Harding 
Thomas Thurston 
John Bullen 
Joseph Morse 
Henry Adams 
William Partridge 
Joshua Fussell 
John Bowers 
John Frary 



Benjamin Crane 
Thomas Mason 
Edward Adams 
Alexander Lovell 
John Metcalf 
Peter Adams 
Joshua Fisher 
Joseph Allen 
John Partridge 
John Warfield 
Thomas Thurston jr. 
Gershom Wheelock 
Robert Mason 



Nicholas Rockett 

Of the above number, eighteen subscribed the paper by making 
their marks ; from which fact it is fair to infer that they were not 
all of them writing masters, but their particular occupation is 
not stated. 

On the " 25th of the 10th month, 1649," (January 4, 1650, 
new style,) a meeting of the aforesaid committee was held, when 
Eleazer Lusher was chosen to keep the Records of Medfield, un- 
til another person should be chosen for that purpose. Rules are 
also adopted for an equitable division of lands among the settlers. 



100 SETTLEMENT AT WRENTIIAM. 

Oil the IJth of January, 1651, the town of Dedham formally 
transferred all their right, power and privileges of town govern- 
ment that hath hitherto or yet is remaining with them in regard 
to Medfield, either by their trustees or agents, unto the selectmen 
of Medfield. 



SETTLEMENT AT WRENTHAM. 

In the year 1660, lieutenant Fisher and sergeant Ellis were 
deputed to treat with the Indians or sagamore who claims right 
to the lands at Wolomonopog, now the town of Wrentham, to 
buy them all out and clear the place from Indian title ; and also 
they were desired to search and view the place, and report to the 
town its fitness for a settlement there. 

This committee having performed the service required of them, 
make report, " that the place might be planted with meet inhabi- 
tants in due time ;" and recommended that a larger committee be 
appointed to make further surveys. In pursuance of this recom- 
mendation, three others, viz. Nathaniel Colburn, Anthony Fisher, 
jr. and Eleazer Lusher, were added to the first committee. 

At a general town meeting, March 27, 1661, after hearing the 
report of this committee, the question being put, " whether or no 
a plantation shall be set up at Wolomonopog," it was decided in 
the affirmative. Six hundred acres of land at that place were 
appropriated at this meeting, for the encouragement of settlers. 
It was also "Voted, that there shall be a committee chosen to set- 
tle and determine such things as shall be mentioned and needful 
in reference to the Plantation before named : — First, They shall 
determine by their power when men present themselves who are 
meet for to go. 2d. They shall proportion to each man his part 
in the six hundred acres. 3d. They shall order the seating of 
the plantation, as situation, highways, and a convenient place for 
the meeting-house ; lot or lots for church officers, with such other 
things necessary as hereafter may be expressed." The men se- 
iected for this work were captain Eleazer Lusher, lieut. Joshua 
Fisher, ensign Daniel Fisher, and Peter Woodward, and they 
were required to attend to the woric until others were chosen. 



SETTLEMENT AT WRENTHAM. 101 

In November, 1661, the bounds of the new settlement were def-- 
initely fixed by the town, and ordered to be laid out by a com- 
mittee appointed for that purpose. The meadow lands found 
within the prescribed limits, to be apportioned among those who 
may become inhabitants. All other meadow lands that may be 
found within the original grant of the general court, to belong to 
the inhabitants who shall yet remain in Dedham. 

In January, 1662, the committee for clearing the Indian title to 
lands about Wolomonopog, presented to the town a writing un- 
der the hand and seal of sagamore Philip, showing "the purchase 
of six miles square, or the quantity thereof." Captain Willett, 
of Seekonk, having assisted the committee in this business and 
engaged in behalf of the town to pay the sagamore the sum agreed 
upon, a vote of thanks is tendered him, and a request is made 
that he would continue his good offices and get a deed signed by 
the said sagamore that may be authentic according to our laws. 
A rate is also ordered to be made and collected for the payment 
to captain Willett of the money so expended by him for the town. 
The sum paid sagamore Philip was 24Z. 10s. 

A proposition was made to the town to yield up all their rights 
at Wolomonopog, both in upland and meadow, for the accommo- 
dation of the plantation, provided it be to such persons as are fit 
to carry on such a work in church and commonwealth, accordino- 
to the order formerly agreed upon by the town. The persons 
entering the new plantation to pay the town of Dedham one hun- 
dred and sixty pounds, in four years, 40Z. each year, the first 
payment to be made in 1666, and to end in 1669 ; the plantation 
to be entered upon within two and an half years. This proposi- 
tion was concurred in by the Proprietors. 

Some difficulty occurring in the collection of the rates assessed 
for the payment of the money advanced for the town by captain 
Willett, the selectmen met with the committee chosen to decide 
upon the things relating to a settlement at Wolomonopog, to set- 
tle the matters pending between the town and those who propose 
going to the plantation. This conference was held on the 27th 
of February, 1662, but no satisfactory arrangement was made at 
that lime. A general meeting of the Proprietors took place on 
the 2d of March following, when it was agreed that every propri- 



102 SETTLEMENT AT WRENTHAM. 

etor should draw his proportion of the six hundred acres accord- 
ing to the general rule of dividends, and that the said six hundred 
acres should be laid out with as much convenience as may be 
with reference to a plantation, and also be such lands as are suit- 
able for house lots. All lands for highways, church officers lots, 
burial place, training ground, and such as are necessary to be re- 
served for public use, within the seat of the town, to be laid out 
over and above the six hundred acres before mentioned. 

Another meeting of the proprietors was held on the 23d of 
March, 1662, to draw their lots at Wolomonopog, when it was 
agreed that ten acres should be added to the last sixty acres upon 
the plain, that they may be allowed one acre to every six acres 
to such as fall by lot in that part of the plain, and the addition to 
be made on the north side of the plat. Anthony Fisher, jr. and 
eight others who had made improvements there, were allowed to 
select their proportions where they had made such improvements, 
instead of drawing their lots with the rest. A highway was sub- 
sequently confirmed, where it had already been laid out and 
used, at the east end of the lots where these improvements had 
been made. 

In June, 1666, all persons are forbidden to mow any of the 
grass growing on the common meadows at Wolomonopog, before 
the beginning of September next, under a penalty often shillings 
for every load of hay so cut, unless they shall obtain leave from 
the selectmen so to do. 

In January, 1667, a survey of the meadows yet lying in com- 
mon was ordered to be made, preparatory to a division. Lieut. 
Fisher was appointed for this service, and directed to lay out the 
lots in succession as they are drawn. 

There were yet several Indian families remaining at Wolomo- 
nopog, who continued to plant and improve the lands, after their 
own fashion, as they had been accustomed to do. The new 
owners of the soil, considering their manner of proceeding as 
extravagant and wasteful, make complaint to the selectmen, who 
thereupon send a letter to the Indians, the contents of which are 
made known to them by Samuel Fisher, forbidding them to pro- 
ceed in wasting the wood and limber there. The Indians, in re- 



MILL CREEK. 103 

ply, declare their determination to continue to plant land there, 
notwithstanding the orders of the selectmen. 

A letter being received from sagamore Philip in August, 1669, 
tendering sale of his rights in the lands within the bounds of 
Dedham, beyond Wolomonopog, and desiring 51. in advance, 
Nathaniel Payne of Rehoboih is requested to disburse that sum 
to Philip, on the town's account. 

On the 6th of April, 1670, a dividend of half an acre of the 
common lands, fit for mowing, is ordered to be made to each 
cow common. Richard Ellis, in behalf of himself and Isaac Gen- 
ery, gave notice to the town clerk that there are " hopes of dis- 
covering a Copper Mine, they having made already some proof 
thereof within the bounds of Wolomonopog in Dedham, at a 
place called Haynes' ground. 

1673. Wrentham, late Wolomonopog, is set off from Dedham, 
and incorporated as a town. December 4, the books and papers 
relating to the new town, are ordered to be delivered into the 
hands of the committee empowered by the general court to order 
the prudential affairs of Wrentham. 



MILL CREEK. 

In the year 166S, an explanation being required of the select- 
men, as to the precise meaning of the words in the grant to Ezra 
Morse and Daniel Pond, the owners of the new mill just erected 
by them on Mother Brook, in reference to the heighth of water 
in Mill Creek — "It was declared, that by an ordinary course of 
water it is to be always understood to be when the water in 
Charles river is generally within the banks of the river." This 
mill being set on the same stream, and above the old mill, and 
the town being desirous to have both mills encouraged and kept 
in motion, it is further declared, that "in time of drought or want 
of water, the water shall in no such time be raised so high by the 
occasion of the new mill, that the water be thereby hindered of 
its free course or passage out of Charles river to the mill." The 
proprietors of the old mill are at the same time restricted from 
raising the water in their pond so high as to prejudice the new 
mill by the flowage of back water. 



104 POLITICAL CHARACTER. 

A piece of upland and meadow containing about one and an 
half acre, adjoining on the north side of Mill creek, was granted 
to Richard Ellis in 1669, in exchange for land taken from his 
house lot for the highway to the new mill; the right being re- 
served for the proprietors of either of the mills, or their succes- 
sors, or for the town, to enter upon said land adjoining the creek, 
for the purpose of clearing or enlarging the same from time to 
time. 

Previous to 1686, the waters of Charles river had occasionally- 
been lowered in this vicinity, by removing obstructions in its 
channel, so as partially to drain the meadows and prevent dam- 
age by reason of the waters laying long upon them. In the ex- 
treme drought of this year, in order to furnish the mills with wa- 
ter, the town " see reason to allow that we may have a supply of 
meal, that the river about forty rods below the mill channel's 
mouth, be raised to its former height." The Mill creek was 
cut from Charles river through the meadows to the source of the 
stream called Mother Brook, in 1639. 



POLITICAL CHARACTER. 

Mr. Worthington in his history of Dedham, page 81, says — 
" From the first settlement of this town, the inhabitants have ex- 
hibited great stability of character. Those opinions and princi- 
ples which they have at first adopted, they have steadily support- 
ed and maintained. In a period of one hundred and ninety 
years, I do not observe an instance of a minority in any important 
measure, so far increasing its numbers as to produce a change in 
the political character of the town. In colonial times, they were 
ever opposed to royal partizans, of provincial governors they were 
ever jealous, and when there was an organized opposition to 
them, on that side. In the revolution, they were unwavering and 
united. They approved of the constitution of the State and of the 
United States. They have at all times approved of a republican 
administration of them." 

The same historian, on page 77, says—" When political par- 
ties arose in the United States, under the name oi federalists and 
republicans, a large majority of the inhabitants became attached 



REVOLUTIONARY SOLDIERS. 105 

to the latter party. This majority, generally, as three to one, has 
continued to the present time," — 1S27. The principal political 
parties are now, in 1S47, organized under the name of democrats 
and whigs ; the latter still retaining about the same relative ma- 
jority as the re]mblica7is of former times. 



In the Appendix to the Centennial Address delivered in thi.s 
town September 21, 1836, by Samuel F. Haven, Esq. is a list of 
one hundred and six names of soldiers from Dedham who served 
in the "Revolutionary War of Independence," communicated by 
Hon. William Ellis. Since the publication of that address, Mr. 
Ellis' further researches into the Army Rolls and other military 
records have enabled him to communicate to us the following ad- 
ditional names of citizens of Dedham, who vvere 

SOLDIERS IN THE REVOLUTION, Viz : 

Andrew Everett Hezekiah Battle 

Samuel Wight James Googins 

Nathaniel Wight William Hewins 

Jesse Ellis Ichabod Draper 

David Andrews Andrew Hodges Tracv 

Eleazer Everett Jason Fuller 

Elijah Caswell Archibald McMullen 

Seth Sampson Ithaniore Farrington 

William Starr Edward BuUard 

Asa Payson Michael Malcomb 

Peter Oliver John Bacon 

Thomas White Eleazer Rhoads 
Samuel Gould 

The association of Veterans (alluded to on page 34) that mus- 
tered here on the 19th of April, 1775, was composed of aged men, 
many of whom had been in actual service in former years. In 
the afternoon of that day this company paraded on the Little 
Common, in front of the first parish meeting-house, from the 
steps of which a prayer was offered by Rev. Mr. Gorham of Rox- 
bury, when they immediately followed their younger brethren 
in arms who had preceded them to the scene of battle at Lexing- 
ton. The Veterans were led by Hezekiah Fuller and Nathaniel 
Sumner, two of the oldest and most respected of the citizens. 
14 



106 



REPRESENT^mVES. 



REPRESENTATIVES TO THE GENERAL COURT. 

[The names of Representatives preyious to the year 1696 are not en- 
tered upon the Town records, except in 1694, wlien it is incidentally 
mentioned that bills are given to Lt. Richard Ellis and Thomas Metcalf, 
to receive 51. each, in part pay for services as Representative.] 



1696 
1697 
1698 
1699 
1700 

1705 

1712 
1713 
1714 
1715 
1716 
1717 
1718 
1719 
1720 
1721 
1722 
1723 
1724 
1725 
1726 
1727 
1728 
1729 
1730 

1735 

1741 
1742 
1743 
1744 

1751 
1752 
1753 



John Fuller 
Thomas Metcalf 
Asahei Smith 
Josiah Fisher 
to 1704, inclusive 
Capt. Daniel Fisher 
to 1711, inclusive 
John Fuller 
Capt. Daniel Fisher 

a a (I 

Eleazer Kingsbury 
John Fuller 



Dea. Jonathan Metcalf 
Capt. Samuel Guild 
Joseph Ellis, jr. 



Thomas Fuller 

Lt. Joshua Fisher ' 

(1 i( (I 

Joseph Ellis, senior 

Eleazer Ellis 
to 1734, inclusive 
Joseph Ellis 
to 1740, inclusive 
John Metcalf 
Joseph Ellis 
Joseph Richards 
Richard Ellis 
to 1750, inclusive 
Col. Joseph Richards 
Dea. Joseph Ellis 
Joseph Richards, Esq. 



1754 
1755 
1756 
1757 
1758 
1759 
1760 
1761 
1762 
1763 
1764 

1769 
1770 
1771 
1772 
1773 
1774 

1775 

1776 

1777 

1778 
1779 
1780 
1781 

1782 
1783 
1784 

1785 

1786 

1787 

1788 



Joseph Richards, Esq. 
Voted not to send. 
Dea. Nathaniel Sumner 

(1 U t( 

" Joseph Ellis 

Capt. Jonathan Metcalf 

Eliphalet Pond, Esq. 

Nathaniel Sumner, Esq, 

Eliphalet Pond, Esq. 

to 1768, inclusive 

Samuel Dexter, Esq. 

Nathaniel Sumner, Esq. 
(( (t it. 

Abner Ellis 



Samuel Dexter 
Abner Ellis 
Samuel Dexter 
Abner Ellis 
Abner Ellis 
Jonathan Metcalf 
Abner Ellis 
Jonathan Metcalf 

Abner Ellis 
Abner Ellis 
Ebenezer Battle 
Capt. Joseph Guild 

K (( 11 

Nathaniel Kingsbury 
Nathaniel Kingsbury 
Samuel Dexter 

Nathaniel Kingsbury 

11 11 

Fisher Ames 
Nathaniel Kingsbury 



REPRESENTATIVES. 



107 



y- 



1789 Joseph Guild 


1823 William Ellis 


1790 Joseph Guild 


Col, Abner Ellis 


1791 Nathaniel Ames 


Pliny Bingham 


1792 Nathaniel Ames 


1824 William Ellis 


Nathaniel Kingsbury 


Pliny Bingham 


1793 


Josiah S. Fisher 


1794 Nathaniel Kingsbury 


1825 Richard Ellis 


Isaac Bullard 


1826 " " 


1795 to 1800, inclusive 


1827 to 1829, inclusive 


Isaac Bullard 


Richard Ellis 


1801 Isaac Bullard 


Horace Mann 


Ebenezer Fisher 


1830 Richard Ellis 


1802 Ebenezer Fisher 


Horace Mann 


1803 


John Endicott 


1804 


1831 Theron Metcalf, (in May) 


1805 Ebenezer Fisher 


Richard Ellis ) .^ ^^^^ 
Horace Mann ) 


John Endicott 


1806 Ebenezer Fisher 


1832 Theron Metcalf 


John Endicott 


John W. Ames 


Isaac Bullard 


1833 Theron Metcalf 


1807 John Endicott 


Richard Ellis 


Isaac Bullard 


John Morse 


Samuel H. Deanc 


1834 John Endicott 


1808 to 1813, inclusive 


John Morse 


John Pndicott 


Daniel Covell 


Samuel H. Deane 


1835 William Ellis 


Jonathan Richards 


Daniel Marsh 


1814 John Endicott 


John Dean 3d 


Erastus Worthington 


1836 Joshua Fales 


Col. Abner Ellis 


John Morse 


1815 Erastus Worthington 


Daniel Covell 


Samuel H. Deane 


1837 Joshua Fales 


Col. Abner Ellis 


John Morse 


1816 John Endicott 


Daniel Covell 


Abner Ellis 


1838 Joshua Fales 


William Ellis 


1839 


1817 Abner Ellis 


1840 


William Ellis 


1841 Merrill D. Ellis 


Timothy Gay, jr. 


1842 " " " 


1818 William Ellis 


1843 " " " 


1819 


1844 Joseph Day 


1820 


1845 '• 


1821 Edward Dowse 


1846 Edward L. Keyes 


1822 John W. Ames 





108 RELKilOUfc. SOClKTlEsi. 



RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES. 

The First Church in Dedham was gathered November S, 
1638, three years after the settlement of the town commenced. 
The first house for public worship was built the same year, on 
the spot now occupied by the first parish meeting-house. The 
second meeting-house was built on the same site in 1673. This 
house stood until 1763, when it was taken down to give place 
for the present meeting-house, which was erected that year, 
though the building has been much altered and enlarged since 
that time. In 1659, the original Proprietors of the Township 
appropriated certain portions of their common lands, for the sup- 
port of the ministry here ; this being the only church then exist- 
ing in the town. The annual income derived from the proceeds 
of these lands is now about one thousand dollars. 

In 1818, a considerable portion of the members having seceded 
from the parish and formed a distinct society, among whom there 
was said to be a majority of the old church members, but a mi- 
nority of the whole society, a controversy arose as to which 
society the funds of the church belonged, to the old or to the new 
society. The question was finally referred for the decision of 
the supreme court, which, after a full investigation, in 1821, con- 
firmed them to this church and society, then under the pastoral 
charge of Rev. Dr. Lamson. 

The outside clock on the meeting-house was presented to the 
parish in 1820, by Hon. Edward Dowse ; the inside clock was 
the gift of Messrs. John and Samuel Doggett ; the large and 
beautiful chandelier was given by Ebenezer Fisher, jr., in 1845. 
The organ now used in the church was substituted for a smaller 
one in 1820. 

John Allin, the first pastor of this church, was ordained April 
24, 1639. William Adams, ordained December 3, 1673. Joseph 
Belcher, November 29, 1693. Samuel Dexter, May 6, 1724. 
Jason Haven, February 5, 1756. Joshua Bates, March 6, 1803. 
Mr. Bates was dismissed February 20, 1818, to take charge of 
Middlebury college, in Vermont, of which Institution he had 
been appointed President. Alvan Lamson, the present pastor of 
this church and society, was ordained October 29, 1818. 



RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES. i09 

The "iVew Meeting House Society,'^ in the first parish, was 
originally composed of persons who separated from the first 
church and society in 1S18. A house for public worship was 
erected in 1819; it stands on the spot formerly occupied by the 
dwelling-house of Rev. Jason Haven, which was taken down to 
give place for the new building. The chapel adjoining the meet- 
ing-house was built and furnished by the pastor. The society 
was incorporated in February, 1822, under the name of the "Pro- 
prietors of the new meeting-house in Dedham." Ebenezer Bur- 
gess, D. D., the present pastor was ordained March 14, 1821. — 
Mr. Burgess is absent at the present time, with his family, trav- 
elling in foreign countries. 

The Congregational Society in the second parish, was organ- 
ized June 23, 1736, and consisted of fifteen male members. — 
Thomas Balch was ordained pastor, June 30, 1736. Jabez 
Chickering, ordained July 3, 1776. William Cogswell, April 
26, 1815. In June, 1829, Mr. Cogswell received the appoint- 
ment of general agent for the American Education Society, and 
entered upon the duties of his office in August following, though, 
at the request of his people, he continued his pastoral relations 
with them until the settlement of his successor. In January, 
1832, Mr. Cogswell was appointed Secretary of the American 
Education Society, which office he still sustains. On the 16th 
December, 1829, Harrison G. Park was ordained pastor of this 
society, and continued until September 23, 1835, when he was 
dismissed, at his own request. Calvin Durfee, its present pastor, 
was ordained March 2, 1836. 

Before the separation took place between this and the west 
parish, it appears there were two meeting-houses erected, the lo- 
cation of neither of which gave general satisfaction. The com- 
mittee appointed by the general court in 1734, to settle existing 
difficulties, re-united a portion of the people living in the north 
part of the parish to the "old precinct," until they became a sep- 
arate precinct two years aftervvards. This committee also re- 
commended to the south parish to remove the "centre meeting- 
house," (as that one was called which stood at the "four corners," 
half a mile southward from the present meeting-house in the 



110 RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES. 

west parish,) to the site a few rods west of the house then occu- 
pied by Rev. Mr. Balch, and afterwards by Kev. Mr. Chickering. 
A new meeting-house was erected in 1769 ; this was taken down 
in 1828, to give place to the present one, which was built the 
same year, and dedicated on the 9th of October. This society 
has a small fund for the support of the ministry, the communion 
table, and for singing, contributed by difTerenl individuals. 

The Congregational Church in the third parish was organized, 
and Josiah Dwight installed as pastor, June 4, 1735. The num- 
ber of male members at this time was thirteen. It was called the 
second church, as the south parish had none connected with it at 
that time. The present meeting-house was completed in 1809, 
and dedicated on the first of March, same year. The old meet- 
ing-house stood about twenty rods southward from the new one, 
on land given by Mr. Joseph Ellis. 

In May, 1743, the connexion between the parish and Mr. 
Dwight was dissolved, at his request. In November, same year 
Andrew Tyler was ordained pastor. Serious difficulties occur- 
ring in the society, originating from trifling causes, Mr. Tyler 
was dismissed from his connexion with the parish, December 17, 
1772. On the 7th of June, 1780, Thomas Thacher, having re- 
ceived a unanimous call from the church and parish, was ordain- 
ed their pastor and religious teacher. Mr. Thacher died October 
19, 1812, in the 56ih year of his age, and 33d of his ministry. 
Rev. John White, its present pastor, was ordained April 30, 
1814. 

In a note appended to the centennial discourse of Rev. Mr. 
White, published in 1836, it is stated that the funds belonging to 
this society consist of between 5000 and 6000 dollars in money — 
of which sum ^100 was given by Miss Mary Gay ; ^2000 were 
raised by subscription, and ^3000 was the bequest of Hon. Joshua 
Fisher, who also presented the parish with the bell now in use. 
The baptismal font was a gift of several individuals. The church 
is indebted to Mrs. Margaret Dewing for a legacy of SlOO, which 
was appropriated for the purchase of plate; to deacon John 
Richards for a silver cup and two flagons ; to Miss Sarah Rich- 
ards and Miss Sarah Baker for two silver dishes, for the com- 
munion service. Miss Susanna Bredinno also proscntod the 



RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES. Ill 

parish with $100, \he income of which to be applied lo ihe sup- 
port of a school in or near the meeting-house. By the will of 
Rev. Thomas Thacher, the parish came in possession of his 
farm, containing about twenty acres, and personal estate to the 
value of $365. There are also twenty-six acres of wood and 
pasture land belonging to the parish. 

The pews in the meeting-house are the property of the parish. 
A custom of long standing still prevails of setting up the pews 
annually at auction, and those who wish to occupy them for the 
ensuing year bid for their choice. 

As it is meet that harmony should exist among a choir of 
singers, to the honor of the choir in this society be it said, that 
during the ministry of the present pastor, thirty-three years, and 
for some time previous, there have been no feuds or discords to 
disturb its peace ; and in the interval just specified, so punctual 
has been the attendance, that only on 07ic occasion, and that a 
very stormy forenoon, have the regular services of the sabbath 
been unaccompanied by singing from the regular choir. 

Episcopal Society, known as "St. Paul's Church," in the first 
parish. The first house for public worship was erected by this 
society in 175S. It was located on the spot now occupied by the 
Columbian House. In 1797. it was removed to the place known 
as Franklin Square, where it stood until the autumn of 1845, 
when it was taken down and its timbers scattered abroad. The 
present church was erected in 1845, near the site where stood the 
first building. Its style is of the pure medieval gothic. The 
tower is a copy in true proportions, of the celebrated St. Magda- 
len tower, Oxford, England. Edward Whiting, recently de- 
ceased, left a bequest of one thousand dollars towards the erection 
of this church. The lands from which are derived the funds of 
this society, were given by Mr. Samuel Colburn, in 1756. In 
1794, the legislature granted to the rector, wardens and vestry of 
this society a power to lease the lands belonging to the church ; 
the present annual income from which is about $700. A portion 
of the Colburn Estate, about twenty-two acres, covers a part of 
Dedham village, including the court house lot. William Clark 
was appointed the first Rector of this church, in 1768. He was 



112 RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES. 

a graduate of Harvard Universitjr. William Montague became 
Rector in 1791. Cheever Felch, Chaplain in the jNavy, officia- 
ted from Easter, 1819, till nearly the beginning of 1821. Isaac 
Boyle, ordained November 22, 1821. Samuel B. Babcock, the 
present Rector, has been connected with the society since the 
year 1832. 

Baptist Society, in the third parish. Meeting-house erected in 
1810, dedicated November 10, same year. Rev. William Gam- 
mel preached here and at Medfield alternately, until 1823. A 
distinct society was formed in 1824, to be called "The First Bap- 
tist Society in Dedham." Samuel Adlam was ordained pastor 
November 1, 1824. Jonathan Aldrich, January 3, 1828.— 
Thomas Driver, in May, 1830, T. G. Freeman, in the spring of 
1839. Joseph B. Damon, October 13, 1841. J. W. Parkhurst, 
its present pastor, in October, 1843. 

The Second Baptist Society have a house for public worship at 
Mill village. This house was built in 1843, on a spot a few rods 
eastward from the place where it now stands ; it was removed to 
its present location in the fall of 1846, and is now furnished with 
a tower and a bell. They have had regular preaching on the 
sabbath since October last, but have no settled minister. 

Methodist Episcopal Church., at Mill village, was organized in 
1843 and consisted of 63 members. Their meeting-house was 
built the same year, and dedicated October 12. Their preachers 
are appointed by the Methodist Episcopal Conference, for limited 
periods. H. P. Hall, appointed in 1844, preached one year. J. 
L. Haniford in 1845, one year. William B. Stone, in 1846, one 
year. Leonard P. Frost is now preacher in charge. 

First Universalist Society, in the south parish, was organized 
October 22, 1827. A house for public worship was erected in 
1829, and dedicated January 14, 1830. The following record 
was made on the day of its erection : " The building this day 
erected, June 18, 1829, by the Universalist Society in the second 
parish in Dedham, is designed to be a Temple for the worship of 
the One Living and True God, the Universal Parent of man- 
kind." Rev. Alfred V. Bassett was ordained as pastor of the 



FIRE DKPARTMENT. 113 

society, June 17, 1S30 ; died December 26, 1831. R. S. Pope, 
though not formally installed, continued in charge of the society 
for three years from April, 1833. From that time there was no 
settled minister until Rev. Edwin Thompson was ordained as 
pastor, 28th October, 1841 ; resigned his charge in October, 1844. 
Rev. C. H. Webster, the present pastor, was installed June 24, 
1846. 



FIRE DEPARTMENT. 

At a special meeting of the town held in December, 1831, the 
sum of fifteen hundred dollars was appropriated for the purchase 
of fire engines and apparatus for extinguishing fires. This sum 
to be divided and expended among the several school districts, in 
proportion to the taxes paid by each. Any two or more districts 
were allowed to unite their proportion of funds for this purpose, 
and to locate their engine in such place as they might agree upon ; 
in case of disagreement, the location to be fixed upon by the se- 
lectmen. Any district or districts already possessing a fire en- 
gine might apply the money to which they were entitled to the 
repairing and improving their engine, and procuring fire appara- 
tus, with the approbation of the selectmen, provided they dedicate 
their engine to the use of the town. 

This appropriation of money had the eflect of increasing the 
number of fire engines in the town, from three, the then existing 
number, to eleven. Some of these were small and not of the most 
powerful class, the sums drawn by the districts obliging them to 
study cheapness as well as utility. The engines were located in 
different parts of the town, and regular companies attached. 
In several of the districts liberal sums were raised by subscription 
and added to their share of the town grant, by which means more 
efficient apparatus for extinguishing fires was procured. 

The following brief history of the formation of a few of these 
companies may be taken as samples of the whole. 

Engines number 1 and 2, were originally purchased by pri- 
vate subscriptions. They were manned and kept in repair up to 
1832, without expense to the town. Engine No. 1, called the 
15 



114 FIRE DEPARTMENT. 

" Hero," was presented to the town for the use of the inhabitants 
in January, 1801. It is located at the Upper Village in the first 
parish. The names of the first company attached to this engine 
are — 

Eliphalet Baker, jr. Eli Parsons Amasa Guild 

David Dana Reuben Newell Calvin Whiting 

Elisha Crehore Reuben Richards Jesse Clap 

James Noyes Reuben Guild Paul Fisher 

Engine No. 2, called the "Good-Intent," located in the Centre 
Village, was presented for the use of the inhabitants of the town 
in April, 1802. The following members composed the first com- 
pany : — 

John Guild Stephen Farrington Seth Sumner 

William Bullard James Richardson George Gay 

Thaddeus Mason Martin Marsh Abner Ellis 

Herman Mann, sen. Edward Russell Francis Child 

William Howe John Bullard, jr. Jesse Stowell 

Nathaniel Guild Josiah Daniels Abner Atherlon 

Mill District. Engine No. 3, called the " Niagara," built by 
Stephen Thayer of Roxbury, was purchased in 1832, for 700 00 
Fire hook, bell and lamps, cost . - . . 38 25 



District share of town grant. 
Low Plain district added its share. 

Balance raised in the district, . - - . $494 95 
Paid for repairs, &c. to May, 1846, in addition to what 

the town has paid, . . . / . $254 36 

First Middle School District. Engine No. 4, called the "Wa- 
ter-Witch," was purchased of Wm. C. Hunneman of Roxbury, 

March 9, 1832, for $666 50 

151 feet leading hose, cost . - - - 97 00 

Hose-carriage, 4 buckets, torch, speaking trumpet, &c. 60 00 

$823 50 
District share of town grant, - - $390 87 
Added by subscription, ... 376 62 767 49 

Balance paid by engine company, - - - $56 01 



$203 30 
40 00 


$738 25 
243 30 



FIRE DEPARTMENT. 115 

The first company attached to this suction engine was appro- 
bated March 10, 1832, and consisted of forty-two members. An 
engine house was erected for the company by E. Fisher, jr. in 
1832, and the free use of it given them for twelve years. The 
present engine house, (a double one,) was built by the town in 
1846, and the company held their first regular meeting there 
August 3, same year. 

Engine No. 11, the "Enterprise," located at Upper Mill village, 
in the first parish, cost, in 1826, .... 400 00 

24 buckets cost, 60 00 

Engine house, 112 00 

Repairs, &c. previous to 1832, .... 66 06 



$638 06 
This is one of the three engines existing in the town previous 
to 1832, and was originally purchased by individual subscriptions. 
In 1832, suction hose was added by the proprietor of the woollen 
manufactories, who also had the engine refitted and put in com- 
plete order for service, without expense to the town. 

In 1834, the sum of five hundred dollars was raised in the 
Centre village, by subscription of the inhabitants, for the building 
of two Reservoirs, and supplying them with water from the aque- 
duct leading from Federal Hill. 

An association is organized in the Centre village, for removing 
articles of furniture, Sec. in case of fire. The annual meeting of 
this company is holden on the first Monday in January. It con- 
sists of twenty-five members. 

On the fourth of September, 1832, nine of the engine compa- 
nies met in the Centre village, by invitation of the firewards, for 
a trial of the powers of their several engines. Again, on the 
second centennial celebration of the incorporation of the town, 
September 21, 1836, eight of the companies were present, with 
their apparatus, and took a part. 

The following is a Statement of monies paid from the Town 
Treasury, from January 1, 1832, to May 3, 1846, for rent of en- 
gine houses, repair of fire engines, purchase of hose. &c. (ex- 
clusive of the before mentioned giant of fifteen hundred dollars,) 



116 



FIRE DEPARTMENT. 



apportioned among the several companies, as near as can be as- 
certained from the town records, viz : — 

Located in the First Parish. 

Engine No. 1 $101 43 

" 2 164 67 

" 3 303 25 

" 4 150 56 

"5 41 28 

"11 26 10 $787 29 

Second Parish. 

" 7 341 89 

"10 421 SS ^763 77 

Third Parish. 

" 6 51 23 

" 8 453 83 

" 9 173 09 $678 15 

$2229 21 
Paid for hose, mostly attached to engines in first parish, 791 46 

Total, $3020 67 
The amount of monies paid to engine-men during the above 
period is not included. 

On the fourth of Ma}"-, 1846, the Town voted to raise the sum 
of tvventy*five hundred dollars for the erection of engine houses, 
and for placing the Fire Department in a more efficient state for 
service. A special committee was also chosen, consisting of 
George Ellis 2d, Samuel C. Mann, David A. Baker, from the 
first parish, Joseph Day, from the second parish, and Merrill D. 
Ellis from the third parish, to carry the object into effect. Un- 
der the direction of this committee a double house has been 
erected in the Centre village, for the accommodation of compa- 
nies 2 and 4, which cost, with suitable fixings, $889,52 ; for the 
land on which it stands, $350. At Mill village an engine house 
built for company No. 3— cost $561, land $50. A new engine 
purchased of Hunneman & Co. for company No. 1, at the Upper 
village— cost $631, from which deduct $111, received for the old 
"Hero ;"— and $120 were expended for fire hooks, ladders, buck- 
ets, and carriage, attached to company No. 2. 

On the ninth of November, 1846, the town appropriated six 
hundred dollars for the purchase of land and building an engine 



FIRES IN DEDHAM. 117 

house for company No. 8. At the March meeting, 1847, the sum 
of $250 was granted to build an engine house for No. 6, and 
^600 for a house for No. 7. April 5, 1847, the sum of six hun- 
dred dollars was appropriated for the purchase of land and build- 
ing an engine house for company No. 1, and a like sum for a 
similar purpose for company No. 10. These expenditures to be 
under the direction of the committee chosen in May, 1846. 

The rooms of companies 2 and 4 have been liberally furnished 
with needful furniture, by subscription of citizens in the Centre 
village, since the erection of their new engine house. 

A special act of the legislature was passed in 1838, to establish 
a Fire Department in this town, which was rejected at the April 
meeting, same year, and again in November. 

The whole number of members attached to the several engines 
at the present time. May, 1847, is 300. They receive from the 
town, each year, a sum equal to their poll tax. 



FIRES IN DEDHAM SINCE 1820. 

1820. January 1, the Poor House took fire, extinguished with 
but little damage. January 29, Jabez Boyden's dwelling house 
with most of its contents, in south parish. 

1822. January 4, Reuben Metcalf's dwelling house, just built 
on Ragged Plain. 

1825. November 12, dwelling house at Mill village, occupied 
by John Goulding. 

1827. March 8, an unoccupied dwelling house in third par- 
ish, belonging to D. Draper. March 27, the machine shop of 
Messrs. Coney & Ames, at Mill village, loss ^12,000. June 28, 
the dye-house attached to Bussey's woollen manufactory was par- 
tially burnt. July 31, J. Goulding's steam carpet manufactory — 
loss $15,000. 

1832. April 14, F. A. Taft's paper mill— loss $7000. June 
21, a stable belonging to Abner Ellis, west parish — loss $1400. 
October 30, Dedham Hotel and stable burnt; an aged stranger, 
and sixty valuable horses perished in the flames — whole loss of 
property estimated at $28,000. 



118 FIRES IN DEDIIAM. 

1834. Jan. 7, the Phoenix Stable, and fifty-three horses burnt, 
loss $10,000. 

1837. Jan. 30, Car-house and contents at Rail-road depot. 

1835. August 5, Jeremiah Draper's barn in South parish, to- 
gether with forty-two tons of hay. 

1840. June 24, a grist mill and turning shop in South parish, 
belonging to Charles Guild. 

1841. June 30, a dwelling-house in first parish, belonging to 
George Alden, occupied by Comfort Weatherbee. 

1842. January, Joseph Howe's shoemaker's shop and con- 
tents, on East-street. 

1845. March 11, the New England Silk Factory— loss 
$40,000. March 28, Ashcroft's calico printing works — loss 
$15,000. September 13, J. F. Whittemore's store on Bow 
street— loss $1200. 

1846. July 12, Nathaniel Colburn's barn, together with 17 
tons hay, a horse, and several swine, in west parish, destroyed 
by lightning — loss $2000. July 17, paper mill at Mill village, 
known as Taft's mill, belonging to Norfolk Manufacturing Co. — 
loss $10,000 — being the third mill burnt on the same spot. 

1847. January 23, the barn of Jeremiah F. Richards, on 
High-street, was set on fire and totally consumed, together with 
ten tons of hay, a yoke of oxen, two horses, and three cows. 
Loss $1000. Insured at Norfolk Mutual Office for $400. April 
10, the Satinet factory at Mill village, owned by J. W. Edmonds 
took fire from friction in the picker room, and was partially 
burnt; insured in Boston. April 19, a dwelling-house near 
Cart bridge, occupied by George W. Pickering and Mr. Baxter, 
and owned by Francis Guild, was burnt to the ground — loss 
$1000, insured $700. May 1, Temperance Hall, in the Centre 
village, took fire from the stove pipe ; its early discovery pre- 
vented an extensive conflagration. May 7, the shoe-maker's 
shop of Mr. Pond, at Mill village, was burnt, together with its 
contents. 



NAMES AND LOCALITIES. 119 



NAMES AND LOCALITIES. 

The following brief description of most of the places spoken of 
in these pages, will point out more distinctly their several locali- 
ties. It may also be otherways interesting from the fact that long 
before the establishment of roads to any great extent in this set- 
tlement, different parts of the town were distinguished by some 
local name, on mention of which its situation was at once under- 
stood among the inhabitants. The numerous villages that now 
dot the hills and plains, and the broad thorough-fares which have 
taken the place of the obscure and serpentine " ways," as they 
were originally "laid out" from house to house in the wilderness 
have lost many of these localities to the present generation. 
Some of them however are still well known. A knowledge of 
others that may have been lost or forgotten will at this day, it is 
believed, greatly assist those who may hereafter have occasion 
to search the records. 

Cart Bridge, was built across Charles river in 1644, on the 
road leading from the old " training ground" to Dedham Island ; 
which road was laid out " three rods broad," same year, through 
the planting lot of Michael Bacon. The bridge was the first one 
laid for the passage of teams or carts over the river in this town. 
A foot bridge had previously been laid across the river, at a place 
called the Key, about one fourth of a mile below this spot, near 
the place where the stone arch bridge now stands at powder house 
rock. At the rebuilding of Cart Bridge, just 120 years after it 
was first built, it is recorded that " John Simpson is allowed 5s. 
and 9c?. for 6 quarts and one pint of Rhum, used at the raising of 
said bridge ;" but for what purpose this article was used future 
generations must be left to. conjecture, as the records furnish no 
further information. 

Purchase Meadows, through the upper part of which the mill 
creek was dug to the source of East brook, is a part of the tract 
of land purchased or included in the compromise made with the 
town of Roxbury in 1650. In that year a committee consisting 
of Francis Chickering, John Dwight, Lieut. Fisher, and Eleazer 
Lusher, were chosen by the town to treat with the Roxbury peo- 



120 NAMES AND LOOALITIES. 

pie for certain lands adjoining Dedham. The precise bounds 
between Roxbury and Dedham were not fully settled until 1697, 
when the selectmen of each town were empowered to define and 
fix the boundary between the two towns. A way to these 
meadows was laid out in 1685. 

Great Plain^ lies in East Needham. In the infancy of the 
town it was for many years improved by the Dedham people as a 
planting field, for the cultivation of wheat and other grain. A 
public highway to this plain, across Dedham Island, was directed 
to be laid out in 1644. In 1646, the surveyor was directed to 
take care of the same and keep it in repair from year to year. 
This was done but in part. In 1701, the selectmen established a 
road, three rods wide, from the great causeway to this plain, a 
former committee having failed to accomplish the work assigned 
them. 

The Great, or Long Cause^my, is a narrow strip of land at the 
westerly end of Dedham Island, adjoining the upper or south- 
westerly part of Broad meadows, A road was located in 1644, 
leading from Cart bridge over this causeway to the great plain. 
The causeway is about a fourth of a mile in length, and makes 
the northern bank of Charles river at this point. The river here 
turns suddenly to the southwest, and after forming the Island 
comes again to the Broad meadows, half a mile northeast from 
this causeway. Until the year 1724, this is called in the records 
the Great Causeway. In April of that year, a petition was pre- 
sented to the town for a way to be laid out to the Planting Field 
Plain, "from the highway on the Great Island leading to the 
Long Causeway." In this quotation, the words "Great," and 
"Long," are interlineations in the original ; but in the subsequent 
records it continues to be alluded to as the "Long Causeway," by 
which name it is now generally known. In 1760, a motion was 
made in town meeting, to petition the general court for the grant 
of a Lottery, to raise money to repair the "Long Causeway" — 
which motion was negatived. 

Westjield, was one of the open plats, formerly improved by the 
first settlers as a planting field. It is in the westerly part of the 
first parish. The name is still retained, as comprising one of the 



NAMES AND LOCALITIES. 121 

school districts of the town. A road from New Bridge leading 
by Westfield, through land of Jeremiah Fisher, was established 
in 1719 ; a way from this road to the farm of Nathaniel Rich- 
ards was laid out by the town in 1715. 

The old Coxtntry Road, leading southwesterly from East-street, 
through the easterly end of Ridge hill, was originally laid out 
four rods wide. Like the Cart bridge road, and some others in 
the town, it has in the course of time very perceptibly shrunk in 
some places from its ample dimensions as at first slaked out. 

High Street, commences at Dwight's bridge over Little river, 
and leads in a westerly direction by the Little Common and the 
old "training ground" to the road leading to Dover, in the upper 
village. Many of the lots apportioned to the first settlers are 
bounded on this street in the original grants. It has more re- 
cently been sometimes known as "Common-street." To prevent 
mistakes hereafter, the town, in March, 1839, restored the origi- 
nal name, and ordered it to be entered upon the records. 

Pocumptuck is the Indian name for the present town of Doer- 
field, in this State. Eight thousand acres of land were selected 
at this place, in 1664, by permission of the general court, in ex- 
change for two thousand acres granted by the town for the Indian 
settlement at Natick. The town of Deerfield was originally laid 
out and settled by Dedham people. The Indian titles to the 
lands at Pocumptuck were purchased for the sum of 94/?. 10s. 
which sum was assessed on the Dedham common rights, for the 
payment thereof. 

Great Island, now known as Dedham Island, is situated in the 
northerly part of the town. It is formed by the waters of 
Charles river, which run from the western point of the Island at 
the upper part of Broad meadows, in a circuitous channel south- 
easterly towards the village, to Bullard's landing place ; thence 
northerly to the lower part of Broad meadows, through which 
there is a ditch or creek extending from river to river. The 
Island contains by estimation about twelve hundred acres. One 
of the three herd walks, as the feeding grounds for cattle were 
called before the division of the common lands among the propri- 
16 



122 NAMES AND LOCALITIES. 

etoTS, was upon this Island. Another of these herd wallis was 
on East street, and the third on South plain. In 1659, these 
herd walks contained 532 acres ; at that time the inhabitants had 
feeding on them 477 cattle. The Proprietors also selected this 
Island for building lots, and some of the first houses erected in 
the town were located here. 

Ware^s Causeway, makes a small portion of the road leading 
from Cart bridge across Dedham Island to the great causeway. 
A way from this road, commencing near the bridge and passing 
by the houses of Capt. David Fuller and Thomas Smith, till it 
comes again to the first mentioned road at Ware's causeway, was 
established as a public highway in 1764. A gravel pit was re- 
served for the use of the town near this causeway. 

Ridge Hill, is a remarkable range of elevated land, commenc- 
ing near the westerly part of Wigwam pond and running south- 
easterly through the entire length of Wigwam swamp, a distance 
of about one mile and a quarter, to the old "country road," which 
it crosses a short distance north of the house of Hon. John Endi- 
eott. The height of this gravelly ridge is some fifteen to twenty 
feet above the level of the adjacent swamp ; its width, from three 
to six rods. 

Wigwam. Plain is nearly surrounded by Wigwam Swamp. 
The Indians formerly had a settlement here, and continued to 
occupy the spot for many years after the Europeans had settled 
around them. Wigwam Pond adjoins this plain on the north- 
west. 

Pond Plain, adjoins the Med field road, in the west parish. A 
way from the road to the west side of the pond on this plain, was 
established in 1717, for a Watering Place, 

Low Plain covers a surface of several hundred acres in the 
easterly part of the town. This plain is traversed by the Boston 
and Providence, and Dedham Branch railroads. It will doubt- 
less in the progress of time be occupied by a portion of those in- 
habitants of the metropolis, who are seeking a pleasant and con- 
venient location for their dwellings, \n the immediate vicinity of 
the city. 



NAMES AND LOCALITIES. 123 

The Broad Meadows adjoin Charles river on the north, and 
spread out in a southwesterly direction to the great causeway. 
A ditch or creek was dug from river to river through these mead- 
ows in 1655, apparently for the purpose of assisting to drain the 
meadows lying nearer the village, 

Metcalf's Island was originally granted to Michael Metcalf, for 
three acres, more or less. It contains some seven or eight acres, 
and adjoins Charles river, at the southerly part of Broad mead- 
ows, A gravel pit was reserved on this Island for the use of all 
persons concerned, and also a passage through to the meadows 
beyond. PowelVs Island is also on the Broad meadows, about 
one fourth of a mile below the first named. A causeway was di- 
rected to be made to this Island from the town's land in 1675, to 
facilitate the getting of hay. WUsoti's Island lies adjacent to the 
last named. 

Little River, is the name given to the stream that flows from 
Wigwam pond, through the Little Meadows, to Charles river. 
Dtoighfs Bridge is built across this stream, at the junction of 
High-street, Mill village and East-street roads. 

Green Lodge, is a fertile tract of land, pleasantly situated in 
the southeast part of the town, adjacent to Neponset river and 
the railroad from Boston to Providence. A number of valuable 
and productive farms are situated here. 

Sandy Valley, lies about midway between Dedham village and 
the west parish meeting-house. Dead Swamp is a short distance 
southward from this valley. High Rock and Fox Hill, in the 
west parish, are prominent eminences, from which a view of the 
city and harbor of Boston may be obtained. Rock Meadovjs and 
Dunkling's Hole, are situated in the northerly part of this parish. 

Planting Field Plain, on Dedham Island, adjoins Charles river 
on the west. A road across this Plain from the one leading to 
the great causeway was established in 1724. 

The Landing Place on the southwest bank of Charles river on 
the Needham road, opposite Metcalf's pond, was established by 
the selectmen in 1717, — ''about five rods in width in the narrow- 



124 NAMES AND LOCALITIES. 

est place, and eight or nine rods next the highway." A Land' 
big Place, was also laid out the same year, from the highway 
leading by the house of Nathaniel Richards to the river. 

The Great Common, or "Training Ground" as it is called in 
the records, was appropriated by the Proprietors for the use. of 
the military company, in 1644. It is an open piece of ground, 
containing now about two acres, of a triangular form, encompas- 
sed on two sides by public roads. It is crossed by another road 
leading over Cart bridge. 

The first grant of this land to the military company was soon 
after confirmed, as appears by the following record : — " 7th mo. 
10, 1648. Granted to the trained company of this town and to 
the officers thereof and to their successors forever, the free use of 
all that parcel of land commonly called the training ground, al- 
ways provided that the said trained company, and the officers 
thereof, shall not at any time hereafter appropriate the said parcel 
or any part thereof, or improve the same to any other use than to 
the use of public exercise of the said company, without the con- 
sent of the selectmen of the town for the time being first attained ; 
neither shall it be in the liberty or power of the selectmen here- 
after at any time to dispose of the said parcel or any part thereof, 
in any case, without the consent of the said trained company and 
the officers thereof, first had and manifest." [Rec. fol. 1, page 
111 ; Richardson's transcript, page 7.] 

In 1677, one acre of the training ground was granted to Amos 
Fisher and to his heirs forever, by consent of the parties interest- 
ed; and sergeant Daniel Pond was in like manner allowed to im- 
prove for that year one acre and an half of said ground, for which 
he was to pay thirty shillings in merchantable corn, and also " to 
lay down this land playne." Other persons were permitted to 
improve certain portions of this ground from time to time. 

In the year 1687, the town being much in want of funds, it was 
proposed to sell the training ground, provided any one would give 
between 30 and 40 pounds in money for it, and provided also, 
that the requisite consent of the military company was obtained. 
It does not appear that any person offered to purchase. 

An alms-house was erected by the town about the year 1773, 
on the weaorly part of the traininrj ground, the consent of the 



NAMES AND LOCALITIES. 125 

parties interested being first obtained. In 1836, this building, 
" together with the land and appurtenances thereto belonging," 
was sold by order of the town. 

The elm trees which now cover this formerly bleak and barren 
spot, were transplanted in 1842, by the voluntary efforts of the 
citizens. 

The Little Common, is the open space in front of the first par- 
ish meeting-house ; it is shaded by forest trees which were trans- 
planted at different periods. 

East Street, has continued to be known by this name since the 
origin of the town. It is a continuation of High-street from 
Dwight's bridge, on the east side of Little river. Some of the 
first houses erected by the settlers were located on this street. 
The original home lots, mostly of twelve acres each, were laid 
out on the north side of the street, " abutting upon the Litile 
meadows towards the west," and extending back to the waste or 
unappropriated lands ; each lot having a " highway four rods 
wide running through the westerly end of the same." An an- 
cient oak tree yet stands in front of the deacon Avery house, on 
this street. It is much older than the town, and measures sixteen 
feet in circumference near the bottom of the trunk. Its top has 
been much twisted and torn by the storms of centuries, but the 
tree js still cherished as a proud specimen of the stately growth 
of its old companions of the forest. Seventy dollars were offered 
for it, to be used for timber in building the frigate Constitution, 
but rejected by the owner. Several new and tasteful dwelling 
houses have recently been erected on this street, and others are 
in progress. 

Charles River, which makes the northern boundary of the 
town, in this part of its course varies from five to seven or eight 
rods in width, and flows with a very gentle current. It received 
its name from the emigrants who left England for this country 
with Governor Winthrop in 1629 ; they landed on a peninsula 
at the head of Massachusetts Bay, opposite which was another, 
with a river flowing between them and emptying into the bay, 
which in honor of Charles I. they named Charles river. The 
peninsula on which they landed they named Charlestown, and the 



126 



NAMES AND LOCALITIES. 



opposite one Boston, after a town in England from which some 
of the principal persons composing this company emigrated. 
Among these emigrants were included many of the first settlers 
of Dedham. We have the authority of Dr. Morse, (in his Geog- 
raphy and Gazetteer,) for stating that the Indian name of this 
river is Quiriobequin. 

Purgatory Swamp, is the name handed down to us from the 
first settlers, of an extensive tract of woods and low lands in the 
southeasterly part of the town, between Ridge hill and Neponset 
river. The Fowl meadows adjoin and stretch away to the south- 
ward of this swamp. Purgatory Hole, is a small pool of mud 
and water at the easterly end of this swamp, near the bridge 
leading over Neponset river to Canton. 

Wigivam Stvamp, is situated between Purgatory swamp and 
Dedham village. These two swamps are described by historians 
as having formerly been " dismal places, and the resort of wild 
beasts," Here then it was that the wolves and wild cats in former 
times congregated and held their revels, much to the annoyance 
of the early settlers of the town, and particularly detrimental to 
the young cattle that fed in the herd walks near by. In order to 
break up their den in Wigwam swamp, which latter was so near 
the village that " the wolf howl was heard from it," the inhabi- 
tants, for a time, in addition to the bounties offered for destroying 
these animals made it a condition of every grant of land, that the 
grantee should clear away the wood standing on a certain quan- 
tity of land in this swamp. 

South Plain borders on the edge of the swamp southward of 
Ridge hill, and is traversed by a road leading by the houses of 
Nathaniel Smith and John Green. A road from this Plain to 
East-street was laid out in 1687. 

The Foivl Meadows adjoin Neponset river, in the southerly 
part of the town. The superior quality of the grass on these 
meadows for the last one hundred and fifty years, is attributed to 
seed brought from a distance by the wild fowl, that in former 
limes frequented these meadows during the spring freshets in 
large numbers. 



NAMES AND LOCALITIES. 127 

Mother Brook, also called East Brook in the records, had its 
source originally about three fourths of a mile southeast from 
Charles river. It flows in an easterly direction and unites with 
Neponset river. Several valuable mills are situated on this 
stream, for the benefit of which a creek or canal was cut from 
Charles river through Purchase meadow to its source, in 1639. 
This Canal is probably the first one ever made in this country, 
and it is now known as 3IiU Creek. It is about three fourths of 
a mile in length. 

Village Aveiiue, was so named by the town at the time of its 
establishment as a public highway in 1835, on motion of Samuel 
Swett, Esq. through a portion of whose lands it passes. It leads 
from High-street in the upper village southeasterly by the ceme- 
tery to Court-street, and is one of the very few streets which have 
received a " local habitation and a name," by order of the town. 
Chesnut Avenue leads from High-street southwesterly 628 feet to 
Village Avenue, 38 feet wide. Eastern Avenue runs from High- 
street northeasterly by the Phoenix House and Mechanic buildings,, 
across the Little meadows, to the old post road leading to Boston » 

The Clapboardtrees, is the name now generally used to desig- 
nate the third, or west parish, and is so used in the act of incor- 
poration. It was originally applied only to the \nooA. lots on the 
eminence where the congregational meeting-house now stands, 
and the lands immediately adjoining on the north and east. The 
name was derived from the circumstance that on these lots for- 
merly grew a certain species of timber trees, which being easily 
converted into boards were allowed to be used by the inhabitants 
for the covering of buildings, by special permit of the town au- 
thorities, in the early days of the settlement. 

Wolf Pits are often spoken of in the early records, and were 
situated in various parts of the town. The settlement was for 
many years infested by wolves, which induced a bounty of ten 
shillings to be offered for each one killed within the town. The 
bounty was increased to twenty shillings in 1699, when an un- 
usual number were destroyed by the hunters ; but these trouble- 
some animals were not entirely extirpated until a long period af- 
ter that date. 



128 NAMES AND LOCALITIES. 

The Key, a place so named by the first settlers, where, in 1637, 
a foot bridge was built across Charles river to Dedham Island, at 
or near the spot now occupied by a stone bridge at powder house 
rock. One of the first roads laid out by the original proprietors 
commenced at this place, crossing High-street near the Monu- 
mental Stone, and leading southerly towards Wigwam pond. 
For many years the persons annually appointed as fence viewers 
for that portion of the settlement called the Town, comprising all 
the home lots, had this Key road which divided the village plain 
nearly in the centre for a part of their district limits ; the part 
which lay upon the upper side being called the west end of the 
town, that on the lower side the east end of the town. In addition 
to the duties devolving upon the office of fence viewers, which in 
those days was an important trust, they were required to see that 
the order of the town concerning ladders being placed against the 
houses, on each side of this division line, was duly complied with. 
The acre of land sold by Joseph Kingsbury to the town for the 
meeting-house lot, " abutted upon High-street towards the north, 
and upon the highway leading from the Key to the Pond towards 
the east." Why may not the substantial stone arch bridge at 
this spot be named the Key Bridge ? 

Ragged Plain. The place now known by this name lies on 
the road leading southerly from East-street, by the house of Capt. 
Jesse Farrington to the Purgatory meadows and Canton. Anoth- 
er place spoken of in the records as the " Ragged Playne." is sit- 
uated southwesterly from the great common, in the vicinity of the 
upper village. The house lots of John Allin, Anthony Fisher, 
Thomas Dwight, and others, located there, are described in the 
original grants as having " the highway leading towards the 
Ragged Playne running through the same." Liberty was grant- 
ed to Richard Wheeler, in 1660, to have his share of the five 
hundred acre dividend " laid out to him upon the Ragged Plain, 
near the pond, and on the south side of that pond, at the east end 
of the ridge." 

Federal Hill, is a beautiful eminence rising from the meadows 
at the southerly part of the village, commanding an extensive 
view of the village plain and the scenery beyond. 



NAMES AND LOCALITIES. 129 

The Causeioay, across the meadows at Dwight's bridge, does 
not appear to have been distinguished by any local name, other 
than The Causeway. It was a work of much labor, on account 
of its length and the depth of mud where it is built, and was not 
completed until within a recent period. In the early days of the 
settlement, a plank bridge extended the whole length of this 
causeway, for the convenience of foot passengers. In 1666, ser- 
geant Ellis is required to repair the foot bridge at this causeway 
with " planks and rayles from end to end, and to clear away a 
tree fallen in the way betwixt south plain and south meadow — 
and all in satisfaction for his defect in his highway work." In 
1677, liberty is granted by the town to deacon Aldis, " to set his 
fence down into the highway at the gravel pit at the end of the 
causeway, provided he maintains two pair of bars for the town's 
use to fetch gravel for the town's use, under the direction of Na- 
thaniel Colburn and sergeant Ellis." Colburn lived adjacent to 
the causeway on the west side of Little river, and Ellis on the 
east side. The gravel pit is now covered by the buildings at the 
railroad depot. In 1685, the town voted " to raise the causewaj' 
at the Little river to such a height as that carts may pass ordina- 
rily without difficulty notwithstanding the water," and to do it 
on account of highway work. 

The Canoes, a place so named, on the Needham road, where a 
passage or ferry across Charles river was formerly made with 
boats or canoes, before the building of the New Bridge on the 
spot. It was a more convenient and direct way from the town to 
the wheat fields on the great plain than the road across Dedham 
Island. 

The Elder's Causeway, is built across the meadows on the old 
post road leading from Court-street to Federal hill. The Elder's 
Lane, as I infer, is a branch of the Key road ; leaving the latter 
opposite the head of School-street, and leading southwesterly 
over this causeway. In 1682, the surveyors district limits were 
defined as follows : " Nathaniel Colburn and sergeant Richard. 
Ellis are appointed fence viewers for the east end of the town to 
the Elder's Lane and so down to the river — for the west end of 
the town, to the aforesaid Lane, John Gay, sen, and Th. Battle." 
17 



130 NAMES AND LOCALITIES. 

Wolomonopog, is a tract of land purchased of king Philip, sa- 
chem of Mount Hope, in 1662. The tract purchased was six 
miles square, or a quantity of land equal to it, for which the sum 
of 24Z. 10s. was paid. It now comprises the townof Wrentham. 

Bogastcnv, is a tract of meadow and swamp, situated in the 
present town of Medvvay, in the easterly part, adjoining Medfield. 
The Great Cedar Swamp and Stop River are within the limits of 
Walpole. Pegan Hill and Noa7i€tte's Brooli, in Natick, 

The Old Saio Mill, frequently spoken of in the records of the 
first century of the settlement, stood where the batting mill of Ca- 
leb Ellis now stands, not far from the house of Richard and Wil- 
lard Ellis, in the third parish. 

Neiv Bridge, was built across Charles river on the Needham 
road in 16S0, by sergeant Wight and Samuel Mills, who had pe- 
titioned the town for liberty to erect a bridge at this place, " where 
a passage is usually made over said river with canoes," which was 
granted them. A highway was laid out same year from the town 
to the bridge, and from the bridge to the great plain in 1684. 
The first named was established in the year 1700, two rods wide 
from the bridge through land of Ephraim Wilson, and from thence 
to the town three rods wide. Three acres of land were granted 
by the town to Ephraim Wilson in 1699, in full satisfaction for 
this highway through his lands, and for liberty to take gravel to 
mend the way at the bridge. In the spring of 1709, the bridge 
was carried away by a flood, but soon rebuilt. 

Bullard's Landiyig Place, is at the bend in Charles river, on 
its southerly bank, between Dedham Island and the village. The 
original way to this landing place, as I infer from the records, 
was from the road leading from the Key to Wigwam pond. 
Some trouble existing at an early dale in regard to this way, the 
subject was referred to the decision of five men, mutually chosen 
by the town, and Joshua Fisher, Joseph Kingsbury and Lambert 
Genery, through whose lands the way is laid out. In 1646 this 
committee decide, " that the highway lying between Joseph 
Kingsbury and Joshua Fisher, leading down to the landing place 
shall lie as it did before, and as it was at first laid out by Mr. Ed- 



CASUAL REMARKS. 131 

ward Alleyn and Abraham Shaw." Joshua Fisher is lo set up 
and maintain five rods offence as it was before, with fencing stuff 
which Joseph Kingsbury is to prepare and deliver on the spot 
where it is to be used, viz. " at the upper end of said highway ;" 
and Lambert Genery fifteen rods in like manner, adjoining Fish- 
ers. In 1705. this way was abandoned and the present one estab- 
lished by the selectmen, " from the High-street by the meeting- 
house, between land of Rev. Mr. Joseph Belcher and Lieutenant 
John Baker, as they abut upon each other in part, and land of 
said Baker and William Bullard in part, crossing through the 
southwest corner of Bullard's orchard till it comes to the side of 
the hill at the landing place." Said Bullard to make and main- 
tain said way, " good and passable for louden carts," forever, 
A part of Kingsbury's twelve acre home lot from which the acre 
for the meeting-house lot was taken, lay upon the north side of 
High-street, and abutted in part " upon the way leading towards 
the landing place towards the south." In 1S46, the town grant- 
ed leave to Abiathar Richards to build and occupy an ice-house 
at this landing place. 



CASUAL REMARKS. 

The founders of Dedham were a choice few among the number 
of those who fled from a religious persecution in their native 
land, and sought in this western clime a place of refuge where 
they could worship their God in a manner most congenial to their 
feelings. Here indeed they might hope to enjoy all the benefits 
of religious freedom. No forms of religion had been established, 
no rites observed but the idolatrous worship of the untutored na- 
tive Indian. It remained for themselves to be among the first in 
this western wilderness to erect altars to the living God. 

Upwards of two centuries have elapsed since this place was 
first inhabited by civilized man. The aborigines who were found 
in possession of the country could never be brought to assimilate 
their customs and habits with the European strangers. The rap- 
id and continued encroachments of the settlers upon their corn- 
fields and hunting grounds, obliged these sons of the forest to re- 
tire deeper into the wilderness, and gradually give place to iheir 



132 CASUAL liEMARKS. 

" pale-faced" superiors. As civilization advanced, they were 
compelled still further to retreat, and a descendant of their race is 
now rarely seen among us. 

A large portion of those who first came here were men who 
had been well educated in the old country, and some of them 
were noted in the annals of literature in the European world. 
Looking forward to the benefit of posterity, they unitedly and 
early turned their attention to providing the means of instruction 
for their descendants. They done what they could for this ob- 
ject. If the second and third generations were any way deficient 
in this respect, the cause may be readily found in the peculiarity 
of their circumstances, and the necessity which then existed in 
the wilderness for more physical exertions in procuring the means 
of sustaining life, and fighting the Indians. 

The bold pioneers who first broke the soil in this region might 
have been more or less tinctured with the intolerant spirit that 
characterized the age and forced them into exile, for perfection is 
not the lot of humanity. It would have been a miracle indeed 
had the first settlers of this town entirely escaped the influence of 
the bigoted and boisterous times in which they lived. Religious 
controversies and quarrels were the order of the day, as well in 
the new country as the old. But the examples of fortitude, per- 
severance, of foresight, and of confiding trust in an overruling 
Providence exhibited by them, demand our admiration and grati-. 
tude. We, their descendants, who now enjoy the fruits of their 
labors, would do well to imitate their virtues, and take as good 
heed that the cause of education, of civil and religious liberty, do 
not retrogade in our hands. 

In process of time things began to assume a new aspect. The 
difference between an unenlightened and a civilized state of soci- 
ety became more distinctly visible. The rude wigwams of the 
natives gave place to more convenient dwellings, with the school 
house and the church rising in their midst. The dense forest, 
into which the rays of the sun could scarcely penetrate, was made 
to bow before the axe of the sturdy yeoman. Large tracts of 
land were cleared and fitted for cultivation, while the forms of 
society were aho changed and inriproved. 



CASUAL REMARKS. 133 

Could the first settlers of Dedham who now repose in yonder 
grave-yard arise from their resting place and view the scenery 
around them, how changed would every object appear to their 
bewildered vison ! The first prominent object that might attract 
attention peradventure would be the towering steeple, rising from 
the identical spot where the first meeting-house, rudely built with 
logs and covered with thatch, was erected by them more than two 
hundred years ago, and in which they were wont to assemble on 
the sabbath for the public worship of the universal Father. 

No coat of paint adorned their humble temple ; no windows of 
glass admitted the light to guide them in their devotions; no 
notes from the deep-toned organ mingled with their voices in the 
loud swelling anthem of praise; no cushioned seats, no carpetted 
floor or artificial warmth invited them to the place for bodily com- 
fort and recreation. The pealing bell sent not forth its summon- 
ing notes for them. No worldly pride, or fondness for ostenta- 
tious display, impelled the first settlers of this town to congregate 
in the temple devoted to the service of the great Jehovah. Their 
devotion was the homage of the heart alone. The deep-felt, in- 
ward feeling of dependance on a superintending Providence for 
preservation and support, was sufficient to induce them to brave 
the wintry winds and numerous inconveniences, and assemble on 
this consecrated spot to unite in the worship of their God in the 
manner their consciences dictated. 

Other objects would appear as strange to them as the rising 
spire. The Plain, on which they had pitched their tents, now 
covered with stately dwellings; the fruitful garden spots and 
broad streets that have taken the place of the gigantic forest trees 
and winding " herd walks," would present but liitle to remind 
them of the familiar scenes peculiar to the spot two hundred years 
ago ! The very grounds set apart by the early settlers in 1638, 
" for the use of a public burial place for the town forever," would 
scarcely now be recognized by them, so much have they too par- 
taken of the general change. 

But the change to them would be no greater than it would be 
to the present generation, could we but go back to the times of 
the settlers, and realize the privations and hardships which they 
endured and surmounted. They were a hardy and a conscien- 



134 



INDEX. 



tious race ; and, if we have not aciually degenerated, it may well 
be a question with all of us, whether we should be as able and 
as willing to undergo fatigue and sufferings equal to theirs, for 
religion's sake, or for the sake of any thing that presented no 
prospect of making us richer in worldly goods ? 

A century hence, and what further change will have taken 
place here ! The antiquarian and the scholar will search for the 
records and the works of our times, to transmit them to future 
generations ! May they be found rich in such things as may re- 
dound to the glory of God, and worthy of his enlightened crea- 
tures. 



INDEX. 



Page. 
Animals, domestic .... 64 

Aqueducts 39, 62 

Ancient oak 125 

Ancient records 19, 42, 44, 50, 63 

Affair of honor 43 

Ames, Dr. Nathaniel ... 27 
Allotment 'of lands .... 82 
Aborigines, last of ... . 66 
Ancient school funds ... 93 

" deeds 19 

Boundaries 61 

Burial grounds . 69, 70,23,28 

Bow street 48 

Broad meadows 123 

Bogastow 130 

Bullard's landing place . . 130 
Bellingham incorporated . . 25 
Bridge, at powder house rock 50 

Branch Railroad 61 

College Graduates .... 86 

Corn mills 67 

Casual remarks 131 

Covenant of first settlers . . 52 
Continental army, supplies for 57 

do. soldiers . . 56, 63, 105 

Centennial anniversary, town 49 

" » church 49 

Canal to East brook ... 11 

Centre street 44 

Cart bridge 119 



Page. 

Country road 121 

Charles river 125 

Clapboardtree lots .... 127 

Canoes, the 129 

Clay grounds 84 

Court house 47 

Cadets, visit of 44 

City Guards 45 

Chesnut Avenue .... 127 

Cemetery, first parish ... 69 

" third parish . . 70 

Cannon, old 63 

Copper Mine 103 

Dedham, as it is 61 

" bank 65 

'« island 121 

" newspapers ... 75 
Donations, Sam'l Dexters 31,40,41 
" Samuel Damons . 71 

" Dr. Wm. Averys 19 

" Nath'l Kingsbury 29 

Division of the town ... 42 
" of scho6l money 39, 42, 51 

Dogs licensed 50 

Dead swamp ...... 123 

D wight's bridge 123 

Dover district 36 

Domestic Manufactures . 55, 60 

" Animals .... 64 

Detecting Societies ... 66 



INDEX. 



135 



Page. 

Dunkling's hole .... 123 

Estates, real and personal . . 64 

Episcopal church lands . . 29 

Extracts from town records 52 
Encouragement of domestic 

manufactures .... 55 

Economy in the government 59 

Earthquake 45 

East brook 127 

East street 125 

Elder's causeway .... 129 

" lane 129 

Eastern Avenue 127 

Expenditures, revolutionary 63 

Expenses, town 68 

Fire Department 113 

Fires since 1820 117 

Fox Hill 123 

Fowl meadows 126 

Federal Hill 128 

Funeral regulations .... 31 

Free contributions .... 21 

Grant of general court . . 55 

Great plain 120 

Great causeway 120 

Great Island 121 

Green lodge 123 

Great common 124 

Graduates 86 

Great Cedar Swamp . . . 130 
Houses, number of . . 15, 30, 72 

Horses, for Continental army 57 

High street 121 

High rock 123 

Highway tax 47 

Indian relics 67 

Insurance companies ... 65 

" building .... 66 
Instructions to representative 

30, 31, 32, 59 
Indian titles, extinguished 14, 

16, 19, 20, 101, and 103 

Introduction 3 

Incorporation, petition for 53 

" grant of court 55 

Island road .... 44, 46, 57 

Inhabitants, number of . , 30 

Key road 128 

Key bridge 50, 128 

Land, natural divisions of 64 

" number acres ... 64 

Lawyers 59 

Lafayette . • 45 

Locality of places .... 119 

Long causeway 120 



rcles 



of 



of 



Landing place 
Low plain . . 
Little river . • 

" meadows 

" common 
Ladies' Sewing Ci 
Light Infantry . • • 
Manufactures, statistics of 
Municipal Government 
Minute men 
Manufactures . . 
Metcalf's Island . 
Medfield, settlement 
Militia, number of 

" muster 
Mother brook . . 
Mill creek! . . . 
Monumental stone 
Newspapers, account 
Natick Indians 
Names of places 
New bridge 
Needham incorporated 
Nation's Guest 
Noanette's brook 
Old dam . . 

" saw mill 
Original proprietors . 
Original limits of town 
Organized societies 
Old and new style 
Ornamental trees 
Political character . 
Population, progress of 
Polls, number of . . 
Petition for Incorporation 
Powder House 
Post offices .... 
Poor House built . . 
do. sold . . 

Pocumptuck . . . 
Pumham slain . . 
Purchase meadow 
Pond plain .... 
Powell's Island . . 
Planting field plain . 
Purgatory swamp 

" hole . . 

Parishes, incorporated 
Philip's war 
Peat . . . 
Public Schools 
Pegan hill 
Quinobequin 
Quincy Light Infantry 



Page. 

123 

122 

123 

123 

125 

69 

40, 42 

49,73 

. 65 

33 

31, 55, 60 

• 123 

• 97 

• 62 
40,42 

37, 127 

103, 127 

31 

75 



40, 



14, 39 
119 
130 
24 
45 
130 
96 
130 
84 
10 
66 
77 
67 
104 
72 
50,72 
53 
71 
51,62 
32 
49 
121 
17 
119 
122 
123 
123 
126 
126 
27, 28 
17 
68 
68 
130 
66,126 
. 47 



136 



INDEX. 



Page. 
Railroad, branch .... 61 
Representatives, list of . . . 106 
" instructions 

to 30,31,32,59 

Religious Societies .... 108 
Rattlesnake bounty . . . 25, 30 

Ridge hill 122 

Ragged plain 128 

Revolutionary taxes .... 63 

" soldiers 56, 63, 105 

Records transcribed ... 50 

" ancient 63 

Rock meadows . . . • . 123 

School money, division of 39, 42, 51 

" districts, names of . 61 

" children . . . . 49, 69 

" free established . . 12 

" public 68 

" Sunday 69 

" funds 41, 93 

Style, old and new .... 77 
Soldiers, continental 56, 63, 105 
Separation from Suffolk 38, 59 

Sabbath breakers 18 

Second parish incorporated . 27 

Snow storm 44 

South plain 126 

Sandy Valley 123 

Shire town 38 

Savings Institution ... 65 

Selectmen 79 

Sewing circles 69 

Stop river 130 

Town Expenses . . . . 49, 68 
" meetings, manner of no- 
tifying . . . 38,51,63 
" meetings, where holden 37 



Page. 

Town meeting 47 

" meetings, illegal . 23, 41 
" house, cost of . . . 47 

" farm 48 

" property 49 

" pounds . . 12, 31, 44, 50 

" separation of ... . 42 

Training ground .... 21, 124 

The causeway 129 

Time, manner of computing 77 

Target shooting 64 

Taxes, how collected ... 62 
" revolutionary ... 63 
Thief detecting societies . . 66 
Tea, use of forbidden . . 33, 55 
" permits to sell .... 36 
Third parish incorporated . . 28 

Town Clerks 79 

" records 50 

Trees, ornamental .... 67 

Village Avenue 127 

Value of lands 82 

Vine rock bridge .... 50 
Veteran Association . . • 105 

Wild cat bounty 27 

Westfield 120 

Ware's Causeway .... 122 
Wigwam plain ..... 122 

Wilson's Island 123 

Wigwam swamp 126 

Wolf pits 127 

" bounty 22 

Wolomonopog 130 

Wrentham, settlement of . . 100 

Witchcraft 21 

Walpole incorporated ... 26 
Work House . . 32,42,48,49 



